Catheter insertion device including top-mounted advancement components

ABSTRACT

An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a patient&#39;s body includes a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed in the needle. The insertion tool can include a guidewire advancement assembly that can include a first finger pad for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. The insertion tool can further include a catheter advancement assembly that can include a second finger pad for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. The first and second finger pads can be positioned such that a user can begin to advance the second finger pad after advancing the first finger pad without substantially re-positioning the thumb or finger of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/154,808, filed May 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,384,039, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/162,580, filed May 15, 2015, and which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/702,580, filed May 1, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,950,139, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/988,114, filed May 2, 2014, and which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/099,050,filed Dec. 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,872,971, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/771,703, filed Mar. 1,2013, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/107,781, filed May 13, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,258,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Nos.: (1)61/345,005, filed May 14, 2010; (2) 61/345,022, filed May 14, 2010; (3)61/372,050, filed Aug. 9, 2010; (4) 61/385,844, filed Sep. 23, 2010; and(5) 61/415,248, filed Nov. 18, 2010. Each of the aforementionedapplications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are directed toan insertion tool for inserting a catheter or other tubular medicaldevice into a body of a patient. The insertion tool in one embodimentunifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertionin a single device to provide for a simple catheter placement procedure.

In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which atleast a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needledistally extending from the housing with at least a portion of thecatheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposedwithin the needle. An advancement assembly is also included forselectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of theneedle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In oneembodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included forselectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancementassembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user toselectively advance the desired component.

In one embodiment the catheter advancement assembly further includes ahandle that is initially and removably attached to a hub of the catheterwithin the housing. Distal movement of handle by a user in turn distallymoves the catheter distally from the housing. The handle can include aneedle safety component for isolating a distal tip of the needle whenthe needle is removed from the catheter and the distal tip received intothe handle. In addition, various guidewire and catheter advancementassemblies are disclosed herein.

In yet another embodiment, various features are included with theinsertion tool, including: actuation of the guidewire and catheteradvancement assemblies without moving the hand of the user that graspsthe insertion tool during the catheter insertion procedure; selectiveadvancement of one of the guidewire or catheter based upon previousadvancement of the other; and guidewire blunting features.

In another embodiment the guidewire and catheter advancement assemblieseach include user engagement components that are configured such thatthe user can begin to advance the second user component after advancingthe first user engagement component without substantially re-positioningthe thumb or finger used by the user for advancement.

In yet another embodiment, the catheter advancement assembly includes ahandle assembly with first and second wings. A cover portion extendsbetween the first and second wings and is positioned such thatadvancement of the guidewire advancement assembly and the catheteradvancement assembly can be accomplished by a single thumb or finger ofthe user.

These and other features of embodiments of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments of theinvention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the present disclosure will be renderedby reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in theappended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope. Example embodiments of the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are various views of a catheter insertion deviceaccording to one embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are various exploded views of the catheter insertiondevice of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show various views of one stage of use of the catheterinsertion tool of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show various views of one stage of use of the catheterinsertion tool of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show various views of one stage of use of the catheterinsertion tool of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show various views of one stage of use of the catheterinsertion tool of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show various views of one stage of use of the catheterinsertion tool of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows one stage of use of the catheter insertion tool of FIGS. 1Aand 1B according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows one stage of use of the catheter insertion tool of FIGS. 1Aand 1B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 10A-10C shows various views of a needle safety component andenvironment for a catheter insertion tool, according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 11A-11D are various views of a catheter insertion device accordingto one embodiment;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are various views of a portion of the catheterinsertion device of FIGS. 11A-11D;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are various views of a portion of the catheterinsertion device of FIGS. 11A-11D;

FIGS. 14A-14F show various stages of use of the catheter insertion toolof FIGS. 11A-11D according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are various views of a catheter insertion deviceaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional side view of an integratedguidewire/dilator for use with the catheter insertion device of FIGS.15A and 15B;

FIGS. 17A-17C are various views of a slotted needle for use with thecatheter insertion device of FIGS. 15A and 15B according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional side view of a portion of the catheterinsertion device of FIGS. 15A and 15B;

FIG. 19 shows one stage of use of the catheter insertion tool of FIGS.15A and 15B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 20A and 20B show one stage of use of the catheter insertion toolof FIGS. 15A and 15B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 21A and 21B show one stage of use of the catheter insertion toolof FIGS. 15A and 15B according to one embodiment;

FIG. 22 shows one stage of use of the catheter insertion tool of FIGS.15A and 15B according to one embodiment;

FIG. 23 shows one stage of use of the catheter insertion tool of FIGS.15A and 15B according to one embodiment;

FIG. 24 shows one stage of use of the catheter insertion tool of FIGS.15A and 15B according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 25A and 25B shows various views of a needle distal tip andguidewire blunting design according to one embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a needle distal tip design according toone embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion tool according toone embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of a catheter insertion tool accordingto one embodiment;

FIGS. 29A and 29B are various views of a catheter insertion toolaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion tool according toone embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion tool according toone embodiment;

FIGS. 32A-32I are various views of a configuration of a catheterinsertion tool during use, according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 33A-33C are various views of a safety needle component accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 34 is an exploded view of a catheter insertion device according toone embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a portion of a guidewire leveraccording to one embodiment;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are cutaway views of a proximal portion of thecatheter insertion device of FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the top housingportion of the catheter insertion device of FIG. 34;

FIG. 38 is a cutaway view of a proximal portion of the catheterinsertion device of FIG. 34;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are various views of a needle safety componentaccording to one embodiment;

FIGS. 40A-40D are various views of the needle safety component of FIGS.39A and 39B and an accompanying carriage;

FIGS. 41A and 41B are cutaway views of a proximal portion of thecatheter insertion device of FIG. 34;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a guidewire for use with a catheterinsertion tool according to one embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a side view of the guidewire of FIG. 42 partially disposedwithin a needle;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a catheter tubeincluding a reinforcement component according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 45A and 45B show various stages of manufacture of the cathetertube of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a catheter tubeincluding a reinforcement component according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 47A and 47B show cross-sectional views of distal portions ofcatheter tubes including a reinforcement component according toadditional embodiments;

FIGS. 48A-48F are various views of a catheter insertion tool accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 49 is an exploded view of the insertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIGS. 50A and 50B show various views of the insertion tool of FIGS.48A-48F;

FIG. 51 is a top view of a guidewire advancement assembly and a catheteradvancement assembly of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the guidewire advancement assembly ofthe insertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIGS. 53A-53B show details of the operation of the guidewire advancementassembly of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the insertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F inone state;

FIG. 55 is a top view of the guidewire advancement assembly of FIG. 52;

FIG. 56A-56C are various views of a portion of a catheter advancementassembly of the insertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIGS. 57A and 57B are various views of the distal portion of theinsertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIGS. 58 and 59 shows various views of the catheter advancement assemblyof the insertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the catheter advancement assembly ofthe insertion tool of FIGS. 48A-48F;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a handle of a catheter advancementassembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 62 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a handle of a catheter advancementassembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a handle of a catheter advancementassembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 65 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 64;

FIGS. 66A-66C are various views of an insertion tool according to oneembodiment;

FIGS. 67A-67F are various views of a catheter insertion tool accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 68 is an exploded view of the insertion tool of FIGS. 1A-1F;

FIGS. 69A and 69B show various views of the insertion tool of FIGS.67A-67F;

FIG. 70 is a top view of a guidewire advancement assembly and a catheteradvancement assembly of FIGS. 67A-67F;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the guidewire advancement assembly ofthe insertion tool of FIGS. 67A-67F;

FIGS. 72A-72B show details of the operation of the guidewire advancementassembly of FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of the insertion tool of FIGS. 67A-67F inone state;

FIG. 74 is a top view of the guidewire advancement assembly of FIG. 71;

FIG. 75A-75C are various views of a portion of a catheter advancementassembly of the insertion tool of FIGS. 67A-67F;

FIG. 76 shows the catheter advancement assembly of the insertion tool ofFIGS. 1A-1F;

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of the catheter advancement assembly ofthe insertion tool of FIGS. 67A-67F;

FIGS. 78A and 78B are various views of the catheter advancement assemblyof the insertion tool of FIGS. 67A-67F;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the finger pad of the insertion tool ofFIGS. 67A-67F;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion tool according toone embodiment;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a catheter advancement assembly of thecatheter insertion tool of FIG. 80;

FIGS. 82A and 82B are side views of the guidewire advancement assemblyand catheter assembly of FIG. 80;

FIG. 83 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a catheter insertiontool including a blood flash indicator according to one embodiment;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion tool including ablood flash indicator according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 85 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion tool including ablood flash indicator according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will beprovided with like reference designations. It is understood that thedrawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, and are neither limiting nornecessarily drawn to scale.

For clarity it is to be understood that the word “proximal” refers to adirection relatively closer to a clinician using the device to bedescribed herein, while the word “distal” refers to a directionrelatively further from the clinician. For example, the end of acatheter placed within the body of a patient is considered a distal endof the catheter, while the catheter end remaining outside the body is aproximal end of the catheter. Also, the words “including,” “has,” and“having,” as used herein, including the claims, shall have the samemeaning as the word “comprising.”

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a toolfor assisting with the placement into a patient of a catheter or othertubular medical device. For example, catheters of various lengths aretypically placed into a body of a patient so as to establish access tothe patient's vasculature and enable the infusion of medicaments oraspiration of body fluids. The catheter insertion tool to be describedherein facilitates such catheter placement. Note that, while thediscussion below focuses on the placement of catheters of a particulartype and relatively short length, catheters of a variety of types,sizes, and lengths can be inserted via the present device, includingperipheral IV's intermediate or extended-dwell catheters, PICC's,central venous catheters, etc. In one embodiment, catheters having alength between about 2.5 inches and about 4.5 inches can be placed,though many other lengths are also possible. In another embodiment acatheter having a length of about 3.25 inches can be placed.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, which depict variousdetails regarding a catheter insertion tool (“insertion tool”),generally depicted at 10, according to one embodiment. As shown, theinsertion tool 10 includes a housing 12 that in turn includes a tophousing portion 12A separably mated with a bottom housing portion 12B. Aneedle hub 14 supporting a hollow needle 16 is interposed between thehousing portions 12A and 12B. The needle 16 extends distally from theneedle hub 14 so as to extend through the body of the insertion tool 10and out a distal end of the housing 12. In another embodiment, theneedle is at least partially hollow while still enabling thefunctionality described herein.

A notch 18 is defined through the wall of the needle 16 proximate thedistal end thereof. The notch 18 enables flashback of blood to exit thelumen defined by the hollow needle 16 once access to the patient'svasculature is achieved during catheter insertion procedures. Thus,blood exiting the notch 18 can be viewed by a clinician to confirmproper needle placement in the vasculature, as will be explained furtherbelow.

The insertion tool 10 further includes a guidewire advancement assembly20 for advancing a guidewire 22 through the needle 16 and into thevasculature of the patient once access by the needle has been achieved.The guidewire 22 is pre-disposed within the lumen of the needle 16, witha proximal end of the guidewire positioned proximate the proximal end ofthe needle hub 14, as best seen in FIGS. 1B and 2A. The guidewireadvancement assembly 20 includes a guidewire lever 24 that selectivelyadvances the guidewire in a distal direction during use of the insertiontool 10 such that the distal portion of the guidewire extends beyond thedistal end of the needle 16. The guidewire lever 24 includes a lever tab26 that engages the proximal end of the guidewire 22 so to push theguidewire through the lumen of the needle 16.

The guidewire advancement assembly 20 further includes a slide 28 thatis slidably attached to the top housing portion 12A. Two tabs 24A of theguidewire lever 24 operably attach to the slide 28 so that selectivemovement by a user of the slide results in corresponding movement of thelever 24, and by extension, the guidewire 22. Engagement of the levertabs 24A to the slide 28 also maintains attachment of the slide to thehousing 12. Of course, other engagement schemes to translate user inputto guidewire movement could also be employed. Suitable tracks areincluded in the top housing portion 12A to enable sliding movement ofthe slide 28 and the lever 24, including a track 34 extending to thedistal end of the housing 12.

The slide 28 includes two arms 30 that wrap partially about rails 32defined by the housing 12. In particular, during initial distaladvancement of the slide 28, the arms 30 slide on a bottom housing rail32A, best seen in FIG. 5B. During further distal advancement of theslide 28, the arms 30 slide past the bottom housing rail 32A and on to atop housing rail 32B, best seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A. With the arms 30 ofthe slide 28 no longer engaged with the bottom housing rail 32A, the twohousing portions 12A and 12B are able to separate, as will be describedfurther below.

The guidewire lever 24 includes a locking arm 36 resiliently disposed soas to spring up and engage an extension 36A defined in the interior ofthe top housing portion 12A when the slide 28 has been fully sliddistally. This prevents inadvertent retraction of the guidewire 22 oncedistally extended, which could otherwise cause unintended severing of adistal portion of the guidewire by the distal tip of the needle 16during insertion procedures. Note that engagement of the locking arm 36with the extension 36A can provide tactile and/or audible feedback tothe user in one embodiment so as to indicate full distal extension ofthe guidewire 22.

The insertion tool 10 further includes a catheter advancement assembly40 for selectively advancing in a distal direction a catheter 42,pre-disposed in the housing 12, and including a catheter tube 44 and ahub 46 at a proximal end thereof. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, thecatheter 42 is partially and initially pre-disposed within a volumedefined by the housing 12 such that the lumen of the catheter tube 44 isdisposed over the needle 16, which in turn is disposed over theguidewire 22, as mentioned.

In particular, the catheter advancement assembly 40 includes a handle 48that defines a base 48A and two arms 50 extending from the handle base.Each arm 50 defines a grip surface 50A, finger grabs 50B, and one of twoteeth 50C. The grip surfaces 50A and finger grabs 50B enable the handleto be grasped or contacted by a user in order to selectively advance thecatheter 42 in a distal direction during use of the insertion tool 10 toinsert the catheter into the body of the patient. The teeth 50C engagecorresponding raised surfaces on the hub 46 so as to removably connectthe handle 48 to the catheter 42.

Additional components are included in relation to the handle 48 of thecatheter advancement assembly 40. A plug, or valve 52, is interposedbetween the handle base 48A and the catheter hub 46 to prevent bloodspillage when the catheter is first introduced into the patientvasculature. A safety housing 54, including a needle safety component 56therein, is removably attached to the handle 48 between the arms 50.Specifically, protrusions 60 included on the inner surfaces of thehandle arms 50 engage with corresponding recesses 62 (FIG. 10A) definedin the safety housing 54 to removably secure the safety housing to thehandle 48. A cap 58 supports the needle safety component 56 and coversthe end of the safety housing 54. As shown in FIG. 1B, the needle 16initially extends through the aforementioned components in the order asshown in FIG. 2B. Further details regarding the operation of thesecomponents are given below.

Note that in one embodiment the outer diameters of the needle 16 and thecatheter tube 44 are lubricated with silicone or other suitablelubricant to enhance sliding of the catheter tube with respect to theneedle and for aiding in the insertion of the catheter into the body ofthe patient.

The insertion tool 10 further includes a support structure 70 forstabilizing the needle 16 proximate its point of exit from the housing12. In the present embodiment, the support structure 70 includes aninterface 72 of the top housing portion 12A and bottom housing 12B thatis shaped to closely match the round shape of the needle 16 and cathetertube 44. The interface 72 stabilizes the needle 16 so as to preventexcessive “play” in the needle, thus improving user accuracy wheninitially accessing the vasculature of the patient.

As best seen in FIG. 2A, the top housing 12A, the needle hub 14, and thebottom housing 12B include engagement features 68 to maintain attachmentof the proximal end of the housing 12 even when more distal portions ofthe housing are separated, discussed below. Note, however, that varioustypes, sizes, and numbers of engagement features can be employed toachieve this desired functionality.

FIGS. 3A-9 depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 10 inplacing the catheter 42 in the vasculature of a patient. For clarity,the various stages are depicted without actual insertion into a patientbeing shown. With the insertion tool 10 in the configuration shown inFIG. 1A, a user grasping the insertion tool 10 first guides the distalportion of the needle 16 through the skin at a suitable insertion siteand accesses a subcutaneous vessel. Confirmation of proper vessel accesshaving been achieved is evident via blood flash, i.e., the presence ofblood between the outer diameter of the needle 16 and the inner diameterof the catheter tube 44 due to blood passing out the notch 18 from thehollow interior of the needle. Note that in one embodiment, the presenceof blood in the safety housing 54, which in one embodiment is atranslucent housing, can serve as a secondary blood flash indicator dueto blood entering the housing from the needle 16 when the vessel isaccessed.

After needle access to the vessel is confirmed, the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 is actuated, wherein the slide 28 is advanced bythe finger of the user to distally advance the guidewire 22 (FIGS. 3Aand 3B), initially disposed within the hollow needle 16. Note that theguidewire is distally advanced by the lever 24, which is operablyattached to the slide 28. Note also that during distal advancement ofthe slide 28, the slide arms 30 thereof travel along the rails 32 oneither side of the housing 12: first the bottom housing rails 32A, thenthe top housing rails 32B.

Distal guidewire advancement continues until the slide 28 has beendistally slid its full travel length, resulting in a predeterminedlength of the guidewire 22 extending past the distal end of the needle16, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In one embodiment, further distaladvancement of the slide 28 is prevented by contact of the lever tab 26with a distal portion of the needle hub 14, as shown in FIG. 4B. FIGS.5A and 5B show that, upon full distal advancement of the slide 28, theslide arms 30 thereof are no longer engaged with the bottom housingrails 32A, but rather with only the top housing rails 32B. This in turnenables the housing portions 12A and 12B to separate, as seen furtherbelow.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, once the guidewire 22 has been fullyextended within the vessel of the patient (FIGS. 4A and 4B), thecatheter advancement assembly 40 is actuated, wherein the handle 48 isdistally advanced by the user to cause the catheter tube 44 to slideover distal portions of the needle 16 and guidewire 22 and into thepatient's vasculature via the insertion site. FIGS. 6A and 6B show that,as the catheter is advanced via the handle 48, the housing portions 12Aand 12B are easily separated so as to enable the catheter hub 46 to exitthe distal end of the housing 12 and for the catheter to be insertedinto the patient vasculature to a suitable degree.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, during removal of the catheterfrom within the housing 12 of the insertion tool 10, the catheter slidesdistally along the needle 16 until the distal needle tip is receivedinto the safety housing 54 and engaged with the needle safety component56. FIG. 8 shows that the insertion tool 10 can then be separated fromthe catheter 42, leaving the handle 48 still attached to the catheterhub 46. As mentioned, the handle 48 includes the valve 52 interposedbetween the catheter hub 46 and the handle 48. Upon removal of theneedle 16 and safety housing 54 from the catheter 42, the valve 52occludes the catheter lumen so as to prevent inadvertent blood spillagefrom the catheter hub 46. As shown in FIG. 9, the handle 48 can beremoved from engagement with the catheter hub 46 via pulling, twisting,etc., so as to disengage the teeth 50C of the handle from the hub. Anextension leg can be attached to the catheter hub and the catheter 42dressed down, per standard procedures. Then housing 12 and handle 48 ofthe insertion tool 10 can be discarded.

FIGS. 10A-10C give further details regarding the safety housing 54, aswell as the needle safety component 56 and its interaction with theneedle 16 in isolating the distal end thereof. As shown, the safetyhousing 54 is configured to enable the needle 16 to pass therethroughduring use of the insertion tool 10, as has been described, exiting thehousing via the extension 74 on the distal end of the housing. The cap58 is placed into the proximal end of the safety housing 54 and isconfigured to support the needle safety component 56 such that theneedle 16 initially passes through the safety housing, the cap, and theneedle safety component. Note that the extension 74 of the safetyhousing 54 in the present embodiment extends into the valve 52 so as toopen the valve during use of the insertion tool 10, which eliminatesundesired friction between the valve and the needle.

FIG. 10C shows that the needle safety component 56 includes a bent body,or binding element 80 through which the needle initially extends, and afriction element 82. As seen in FIG. 10A, when the needle 16 iswithdrawn from the catheter 42 (FIG. 8), the distal tip of the needle iswithdrawn proximally through the extension 74 and past the distalportion of the needle safety component such that the needle is no longerin contact therewith. This enables the friction element 82 to cause thebinding element 80 to cant slightly, thus binding the needle 16 in placeand preventing its further travel with respect to the safety housing 54and isolating the needle distal tip within the housing so as to preventinadvertent needle sticks. In the present embodiment the frictionelement 82 includes a suitably sized O-ring. Suitable O-rings can beacquired from Apple Rubber Products, Lancaster, N.Y., for instance. Notethat further details regarding the needle safety component, itsoperating principles, and similar devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,595,955, 6,796,962, 6,902,546, 7,179,244, 7,611,485, and7,618,395, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Of course, other needle safety devices can be employed toisolate the distal end of the needle.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11A-13B in describing a catheterinsertion tool 110 according to one embodiment. Note that in this andsucceeding embodiments, various features are similar to those alreadydescribed in connection with the above embodiment. As such, onlyselected aspects of each embodiment to follow will be described.

The insertion tool 110 includes a housing 112 defined by a top housingportion 112A and a bottom housing portion 112B that together partiallyenclose the catheter 42. A needle hub 114 supporting a distallyextending needle 116 is included for disposal within the housing 112 andpositioned such that the catheter tube 44 of the catheter 42 is disposedover the needle. Note that partial enclosure of the catheter by theinsertion tool in this and other embodiments enables a clinician tomanipulate the insertion tool with hands that are closer to the distalend of the needle than what would otherwise be possible.

FIGS. 13A and 13B give further details regarding the needle hub 114,which is attached to the top housing portion 112A. A needle holder 126,included on a distal end of the needle hub 114, receives the proximalend of the needle 116 therein. The needle 116 is secured within theneedle holder 126 via adhesive, welding, or other suitable manner.Extensions 128 are included on opposite sides of the needle holder 126and are configured to be slidably received within corresponding slots130 defined on the sides of the bottom housing portion 112B. Suchengagement enables the bottom housing portion 112B to slide distallywith respect to the top housing portion 112A.

A top rail 132 is included on the needle hub 114 and is configured toengage a corresponding slot 134 defined in the proximal portion of thetop housing portion 112A so as to secure the needle hub to the tophousing portion. A lock out arm 136 is also included with the needle hub114 and positioned to engage the back plate 124 when the bottom housingportion 112B is slid distally to extend the guidewire from the needle116, thus preventing its retraction. Note that the guidewire 122initially distally extends from the back plate 124 and through theneedle holder 126 and needle 116, as best seen in FIG. 11D.

A guidewire advancement assembly 120 is included to selectively advancea guidewire 122, initially disposed within the lumen of the needle,distally past the distal end of the needle 116. The guidewireadvancement assembly 120 includes the bottom housing portion 112B towhich the guidewire 122 is attached at a proximal back plate 124thereof. As will be seen, the bottom housing portion 112B is distallyslidable with respect to the top housing portion 112A to enableselective distal advancement of the guidewire 122.

The insertion tool 110 further includes a catheter advancement assembly140 for selectively advancing the catheter 42 over the needle 116. Theadvancement assembly 140 includes a handle 146 initially and slidablydisposed between the top and bottom housings 112A and 112B and removablyattached to the hub 46 of the catheter 42. As best seen in FIGS. 12A and12B, the handle 146 includes two arms 150 for allowing a user toselectively slide the handle in order to advance the catheter 42. Thehandle 146 further includes a recess 152 in which is placed a needlesafety component 156 for isolating the distal tip of the needle 116 whenthe needle is withdrawn from the catheter 42. Further details regardingthe needle safety component are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,595,955,6,796,962, 6,902,546, 7,179,244, 7,611,485, and 7,618,395, eachincorporated by reference above.

The insertion tool 110 further includes a support structure 170 forstabilizing the needle 116 proximate the distal end of the housing 112.The support structure 170 in the present embodiment includes two flaps172 that are hingedly connected to the distal portion of the bottomhousing portion 112B. When closed as seen in FIGS. 11D and 12A, theflaps 172 serve to stabilize the needle 116 to assist the user of theinsertion tool 110 in inserting the needle into the patient. When open(FIG. 14D), the flaps 172 provide an opening to enable the catheter hub46 to be removed from the distal end of the housing 112, as will bedetailed further below. Before the bottom housing portion 112B is slidwith respect to the top housing portion 112A, the flaps 172 are disposedin a track 174 defined by the top housing portion. Other types andconfigurations of support structures can also be employed. The insertiontool 110 further includes gripping surfaces 176 on either side of thehousing 112 to aid in use of the tool during catheter insertionprocedures, detailed below.

FIGS. 14A-14E depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 110 ininserting a catheter into a patient. With the insertion tool 110 in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 14A, vascular access is achieved with theneedle 116 via user insertion of the needle into the patient at aninsertion site. Confirmation of vessel access can be achieved via theobservation of blood flashback via a distal notch in the needle 116, asdescribed in the previous embodiment, or in other suitable ways.

Once the distal portion of the needle 116 is disposed within a vessel ofthe patient, the guidewire 122 is extended past the distal end of theneedle and into the vessel by distally advancing the bottom housingportion 112B. Such advancement is achieved in the present embodiment byplacing a user's fingers on the folded-up flaps 172 of the bottomhousing portion 112B and pushing the flaps distally, thus extending theguidewire 122. The guidewire 122 is advanced until fully extended. Thelock out arm 136 of the needle hub 114 then engages the back plate 124of the bottom housing portion 112B and prevents retraction of theguidewire 122.

At this stage, the handle 146 of the catheter advancement assembly 140is distally advanced, by a user grasping of one or both arms 150thereof, so as to distally advance the catheter 42 through the insertionsite and into the patient vasculature. This is shown in FIG. 14C,wherein the catheter tube 44 is shown distally advancing over the needle116 and the guidewire 122.

As shown in FIG. 14D, continued distal advancement of the catheter 42causes the catheter hub 146 to urge the flaps 172 to open, thusproviding a suitable opening through which the hub may pass from theinsertion tool housing 112. Note that the flaps 172 are shaped such thatcontact with the catheter hub 46 urges each flap to fold outward, asseen in FIG. 14D. Note also that the flaps 172 are no longer disposedwithin the track 174 due to full distal advancement of the guidewire 122via finger pressure applied to the flaps 172 as described above.

FIG. 14E shows that, with the flaps no longer engaged within the track174, the top housing portion 112A and bottom housing portion 112B areable to separate at the distal ends thereof such that the handle 146,still attached to the catheter hub 46, can separate from the housing112. Though not shown at this stage, the needle safety component 156disposed in the recess 152 of the handle 146 isolates the distal end ofthe needle 116. The handle 146 can then be manually removed from thecatheter hub 46 (FIG. 14F), and placement and dressing of the catheter42 can be completed. The insertion tool 110, including the needle 116isolated by the needle safety component 156 of the handle 146, can besafely discarded.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 15A-18 in describing a catheter insertiontool 210 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 210 includes ahousing 212 defined by a top housing portion 212A and a bottom housingportion 212B that together partially enclose the catheter 42. A slidingneedle hub 214 supporting a distally extending hollow needle 216 isslidably attached to the housing 212. In particular, the needle hub 214includes tracks 214A that slidably engage corresponding rails 218defined on the top and bottom housing portions 212A, 212B in a mannerdescribed further below. As shown in FIG. 15A, the needle hub 214 ispositioned distally with respect to the housing 212 such that the needle216 extends through a needle channel 224 (FIG. 18) and out a holedefined in a distal end of the top housing portion 212A so that theneedle is positioned as shown in FIG. 15A.

As seen in FIG. 15A, the housing 212 of the insertion tool 210 enclosesa portion of the catheter 42. An integrated guidewire/dilator 220 isincluded and disposed within the lumen of the catheter tube 44, as shownin FIGS. 15B and 16. The guidewire/dilator 220 includes a distalguidewire portion 220A and a proximal dilator portion 220B. Soconfigured, the guidewire/dilator 220 can not only serve as a guidewirein directing the catheter tube 44 through the insertion site of thepatient into the accessed vessel, but can dilate the insertion site inadvance of catheter insertion therethrough. In other embodiment, noguidewire/dilator need be used. In one embodiment, it is appreciatedthat the guidewire/dilator 220 can proximally extend through the entirecatheter 42 and include on a proximal end thereof a luer cap connectableto a proximal luer connector of the catheter. Note also that FIG. 15Ashows a sterile bag 217 attached to the housing 212 so as to cover andisolate the proximal portion of the catheter 42. For clarity, the bag217 is included only in FIG. 15A, but could be included with insertiontools of varying configurations so as to protect and isolate portions ofthe catheter.

As seen in FIGS. 17A-17C, the needle 216 includes a longitudinallyextending needle slot 226 extending from a beginning point along thelength of the needle to the distal end thereof. FIG. 17B shows that theslot 226 can be optionally wider in a proximal portion thereof relativeto more distal slot portions. So configured, the needle slot 226 enablesthe guidewire/dilator 220 to be inserted into, slid relative to, andremoved from the needle 216 during operation of the insertion tool 210,described below. Note that the needle slot can extend the entire lengthof the needle, in one embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows the manner of entry of the guidewire/dilator 220 into theslot 226 of the needle 216 according to one embodiment, wherein theguidewire/dilator extends distally along a guide channel 222 defined inthe top housing portion 212A and into the hollow needle 216, which isdisposed in the needle channel 224, via the needle slot. (The guidechannel 222 is also seen in FIG. 15B.) In this way, theguidewire/dilator 220 can be distally slid through the hollow needle 216so as to extend beyond the distal needle end while still being able tobe removed from the needle via the slot 226 when the guidewire/dilatorand needle are separated from one another, as will be seen.

FIG. 18 also shows a support structure 270 for stabilizing the needle216, including an interface 272 defined by portions of the top housingportion 212A and the bottom housing portion 212B about the hole throughwhich the needle extends. Of course, other support structures can beemployed to provide stability to the needle to assist in inserting theneedle into the patient vasculature. FIG. 19 shows details of a lockout230 for the needle hub 214, included on the bottom housing portion 212B,for preventing further movement of the needle hub after it has beenretracted, as described below.

FIGS. 19-24 depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 210 ininserting a catheter into a patient. With the insertion tool 210 in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 19, vascular access is achieved with theneedle 216 via user insertion of the needle into the patient at aninsertion site.

Once the distal portion of the needle 116 is disposed within a vessel ofthe patient, the guidewire/dilator 220 is manually fed through thehollow needle 216 so as to extend past the distal end of the needle andinto the vessel. Such advancement is achieved in the present embodimentby distally moving the housing 212 and catheter 42 together whilekeeping the needle hub 214 stationary. The guidewire 122 is advanceddistally a suitable distance, which in the present embodiment, includesadvancement until a distal end of the housing 212 arrives at the skininsertion site.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show that after the guidewire/dilator 220 has beendistally extended into the vessel, the needle 216 is retracted from thevessel by proximally sliding the needle hub 214 along rail portions 218Adisposed on the top housing portion 212A. Proximal sliding of the needlehub 214 continues until the hub engages the rail portions 218B of thebottom housing portion 212B and is fully slid to the proximal end of thehousing 212, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The needle hub 214 engagesthe lock out 230 (FIG. 20B) so as to prevent future distal movement ofthe needle hub or needle 216. In this position, the needle 216 is fullyretracted into the insertion tool housing 212 such that the distal endof the needle is safely isolated from the user (FIG. 21B). Note that inone embodiment a needle safety component can be added to the insertiontool to further isolate the tip of the needle. Note that the distalportion of the guidewire/dilator 220 remains in the vessel of thepatient, having been able to separate from the needle 216 duringretraction thereof via the needle slot 226.

At this stage, the bottom housing portion 212B (FIG. 22) and the tophousing portion 212A (FIG. 23) are removed from the catheter 42. Thecatheter 42 can then be inserted through the insertion site and into thevessel of the patient. Note that the guidewire/dilator 220 is stilldisposed within the catheter tube 44 and that the dilator portionassists the distal end of the catheter tube to enter the vessel bygradually enlarging the insertion site and the vessel entry point.

As mentioned, in one embodiment, the proximal portion of the catheter42, including the hub 46 and connected extension leg, is covered by asterile bag, which is attached to the housing 212. The sterile bag canbe removed after the catheter is fully inserted into the patient vesselor can be removed when the housing portions 212A and 212B are removed.In FIG. 24, the guidewire/dilator 220 is then removed from the catheter42 and the catheter dressed and finalized for use. The guidewire/dilator220 and other portions of the insertion tool 210 are discarded.

FIGS. 25A and 25B depict details regarding a needle blunting system forisolating a distal end 316A of a hollow needle 316, according to oneembodiment. As shown, the needle distal end 316A includes a bevel thatis configured such that its cutting surfaces are disposed at an innerdiameter 318 of the needle 316. Thus, when a suitably sized guidewire320 is distally extended past the distal end 316A of the needle 316, thecutting surfaces of the needle are blocked by the proximity thereto ofthe guidewire, thus safely isolating the needle end from a user. Inaddition, blunting the distal end 316A of the needle 316 in this mannerprevent the needle end from damaging sensitive inner walls of the vesselafter the needle tip has been inserted herein. At this point, a distalend 44A of the catheter tube 44 can then be distally advanced over theneedle 316 and guidewire 320. FIG. 26 depicts a needle end bevel 316Aaccording to another embodiment, including an additional filletcomponent 319. Such a blunting system can be employed in one or more ofthe insertion tools described herein.

Reference is now made to FIG. 27 in describing a catheter insertion tool410 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 410 includes ahousing 412 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A distallyextending hollow needle 416 is disposed with the housing 412 such thatthe needle extends out the distal end of the housing 412

A guidewire advancement assembly 420 is shown for selectively advancinga guidewire 422, including a slide 428 that slides along a track 430defined in the housing 412. The guidewire 422 is attached to the slide428 and extends proximally within the housing 412 until it bends,forming a guidewire bend 422A, toward the distal end of the housing andpasses into the hollow needle 416 via a proximal end 416A thereof forselective distal advancement past the distal end of the needle via useractuation of the slide. Distal advancement of the guidewire 422 out thedistal end of the needle 416 is stopped when the guidewire bend 422Aengages the needle proximal end 416A.

A catheter advancement assembly 440 is also shown for selectivelyadvancing the catheter tube 44 over the needle 416, including a slide448 that slides along the track 430, and a carriage 450 disposed withinthe housing 412 and operably connected to the slide 448. The carriage450 is initially engaged with the catheter hub 46 such that distalsliding of the slide 448 causes the catheter to be distally advancedtoward the distal housing end.

The insertion tool 410 further includes a support structure 470 forstabilizing the needle 416, including two doors 472 hingedly attachedvia pins to the distal end of the housing 412. The doors 472 serve tostabilize the needle 416 during insertion into the patient. Later, whenthe catheter tube 44 and catheter hub 46 are advanced distally by theslide 448, the doors 472 are opened, enabling the catheter 42 to passthrough the doors and be separated by the user from the insertion tool410. In the present embodiment, a wedge feature is included on thebottom surface of the slide 428, the wedge feature being configured topush the doors 472 open when the slide is slid distally, as describedherein. Such a wedge or other suitable feature can be included in otherembodiments described herein as well.

After separation from the insertion tool 410, the catheter 42 can thenbe advanced and placed as needed into the patient by the user. Notethat, though none is shown, a needle safety component can be includedfor isolating the distal tip of the needle 416. In one embodiment,distal sliding of the guidewire slide 428 can partially open the doors472 in preparation for catheter advancement.

FIG. 28 shows the insertion tool 410 including a support structure 480according to another embodiment, wherein two half-conically shaped doors482 are hingedly connected to the housing 412 (via living hinges orother suitable connective scheme) and configured to stabilize the needle416. The carriage of the insertion tool 410 in FIG. 28 is also longerrelative to that of FIG. 27. Thus, it is appreciated that variousdifferent support structures and configurations can be employed forstabilizing the needle at or near its exit point from the insertion toolhousing.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 29A and 29B in describing a catheterinsertion tool 510 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 510includes a housing 512 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollowneedle 516 distally extends from a needle hub 514 that caps a proximalend of the housing 512 such that the needle extends out the distal endof the housing 512.

A guidewire advancement assembly 520 is shown for selectively advancinga guidewire 522, including a slide 528 that slides along a track 530defined in the housing 512. The guidewire 522 is attached to the slide528 and extends proximally within the housing 512 and out through apigtail 524, attached to the proximal end of the housing 512, via a topone of two holes 514A defined in the needle hub 514. Near the proximalend of the pigtail 524, the guidewire 522 bends to form a U-shapedguidewire bend 522A and distally extends back into the housing 512 topass into the hollow needle 516 via a bottom one of the two needle hubholes 514A, for eventual distal advancement out the distal end of theneedle when the slide 528 is selectively actuated by a user. Such distaladvancement of the guidewire 522 out the distal end of the needle 416 isstopped when the guidewire bend 522A abuts the holes 514A defined in theneedle hub 514.

A catheter advancement assembly 540 is also shown for selectivelyadvancing the catheter tube 44 over the needle 516, including a slide548 that slides along the track 530, and a carriage 550 disposed withinthe housing 512 and operably connected to the slide. The carriage 550can be initially engaged with the catheter hub 46 such that distalsliding of the slide 548 causes the catheter to be distally advancedtoward the distal housing end. In the present embodiment a bulge 522B isincluded on the guidewire 522 such that, when the guidewire is distallyadvanced by user actuation of the (guidewire advancement) slide 528, thebulge is advanced and engages an internal portion of the (catheteradvancement) slide 548. This in turn causes the slide 548 to be advancedas well, resulting in distal advancement of the catheter 42. Thus, thecatheter can be advanced directly via the slide 548, or indirectly viathe slide 528, in one embodiment.

The insertion tool 510 further includes a support structure 570 forstabilizing the needle 516, including a plug 572 that includes a plughole 574 defined therein through which the needle 516 extends. The plug572 is attached via the track 530 to the slide 528 and occludes thedistal end of the housing 512, thus serving to stabilize the needle 516that passes therethrough during needle insertion into the patient.Later, when the guidewire 522 is advanced distally by the slide 528, theplug 572 also distally advances out the housing 512, thus opening thehousing distal end and enabling the catheter 42 to pass therethrough.The catheter 42 can then be separated by the user from the insertiontool 510 and advanced into final position by the user. Note that, thoughnone is shown, a needle safety component can be included for isolatingthe distal tip of the needle 516. Note also that after the plug 572 isremoved from its initial position in the housing 512, the catheter tube44 and needle 516, no longer being constrained by the support structureplug hole 574, can axially relocate toward the center of the housing, inone embodiment. This holds true for the embodiments of FIGS. 30 and 31as well.

Reference is now made to FIG. 30 in describing a catheter insertion tool610 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 610 includes ahousing 612 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollow needle 616distally extends from a needle hub 614 that caps a proximal end of thehousing 612 such that the needle extends out the distal end of thehousing 612. The needle 616 includes a longitudinally extending proximalslot 616A that extends from the proximal end of the needle 616 to adistal end 616B of the slot.

A guidewire advancement assembly 620 is shown for selectively advancinga guidewire 622, including a slide 628 that slides along a track 630defined in the housing 612. The guidewire 622 is attached to the slide628 and extends proximally within the housing 612 until it bends,forming a U-shaped guidewire bend 622A, toward the distal end of thehousing and passes into the hollow needle 616 via the proximal slot 616Athereof for selective distal advancement past the distal end of theneedle via user actuation of the slide. Note that distal advancement ofthe slide 628 causes the slide to separate from the housing 612 whilestill being attached to the guidewire 622. Distal advancement of theguidewire 622 out the distal end of the needle 616 is stopped when theguidewire bend 622A engages the distal end 616B of the proximal slot616A of the needle.

A catheter advancement assembly 640 is also shown for selectivelyadvancing the catheter tube 44 over the needle 616, including a carriage650 disposed within the housing 612 and operably connected to the slide628 such that actuation of the slide distally advances both theguidewire 622 and the carriage 650. The carriage 650 is not initiallyengaged with the catheter hub 46, but engages the hub after an amount ofdistal advancement. This in turn causes the catheter 42 to be distallyadvanced toward the distal housing end.

The insertion tool 610 further includes a support structure 670 forstabilizing the needle 616, including a plug 672 that includes a plughole 674 defined therein through which the needle 616 extends. The plug672 is attached via the track 630 to the slide 628 and occludes thedistal end of the housing 612, thus serving to stabilize the needle 616that passes therethrough during needle insertion into the patient.Later, when the guidewire 622 is advanced distally by the slide 628, theplug 672 also distally advances out the housing 612, thus opening thehousing distal end and enabling the catheter 42 to pass therethrough.The catheter 42 can then be separated by the user from the insertiontool 610 and advanced into final position by the user. Note that, in oneembodiment, the carriage 650 can include a needle safety component forisolating the distal end of the needle 616.

Reference is now made to FIG. 31 in describing a catheter insertion tool710 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 710 includes ahousing 712 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollow needle 716distally extends from a needle hub 714 that caps a proximal end of thehousing 712 such that the needle extends out the distal end of thehousing 712.

An advancement assembly 720 is shown for selectively advancing aguidewire 722 and catheter 42. The advancement assembly 720 includes awheel 730, selectively rotatable by a user, that is attached via afilament 726 or other suitable component to a carriage 750. Theguidewire 722 is attached to the carriage 750 and extends proximallywithin the housing 712 and out through a pigtail 724, attached to theproximal end of the housing 712, via a one of two holes defined in theneedle hub 514 (similar to the holes 514A in the needle hub 514 of FIGS.29A, 29B). Near the proximal end of the pigtail 724, the guidewire 722bends to form a U-shaped guidewire bend 722A and distally extends backinto the housing 712 to pass into the hollow needle 716 via the other ofthe two holes defined in the needle hub 714 for eventual distaladvancement out the distal end of the needle when the wheel 730 isselectively actuated by a user. Such distal advancement of the guidewire722 out the distal end of the needle 716 is stopped when the guidewirebend 722A abuts the above-mentioned holes defined in the needle hub 714.

The advancement assembly 720 selectively advances the catheter tube 44over the needle 716 and includes the aforementioned carriage 750disposed within the housing 712 and operably connected to the wheel 730via the filament 726 such that rotation of the wheel distally advancesthe carriage 750. The guidewire 722, a proximal end of which beingattached to the carriage 750, is also advanced distally through theneedle, as described above. Note that in one embodiment the wheel 730,by virtue of the non-rigid filament 726 connecting the wheel to thecarriage 750, ensures that the guidewire 722 is only distally advanced,and not proximally retractable.

Distal advancement of the carriage 750 causes the carriage—which is notinitially engaged with the catheter hub 46—to engage the hub after anamount of distal advancement. This in turn causes the catheter 42 to bedistally advanced toward the distal housing end.

The insertion tool 710 further includes a support structure 770 forstabilizing the needle 716, including a door 772 hingedly attached tothe distal end of the housing 712 and including a hole 774 therein forenabling passage of the needle 716 therethrough. The door 772 serves tostabilize the needle 716 during insertion into the patient. Later, whenthe catheter tube 44 and catheter hub 46 are advanced distally by thewheel 730 and the carriage 750, the door 772 is pushed open by the hub,enabling the catheter 42 to be separated by the user from the insertiontool 710. The catheter 42 can then be advanced for final placementwithin the patient by the user. Note that, though none is shown, aneedle safety component can be included for isolating the distal tip ofthe needle 716.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 32A-32I in describing a catheterinsertion tool 810 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 810includes a housing 812 that at least partially encloses the catheter 42.A hollow needle 816 distally extends from a needle hub 814 includedwithin the housing 812 such that the needle initially extends out thedistal end of the housing 812. The needle 816 includes a distal slot816A, similar to the previously described needle slot 226 (FIGS.17A-17C), for enabling a guidewire/dilator 822, similar to thepreviously described guidewire/dilator 220 (FIG. 16) to be removablyinserted therein. The catheter 42 is disposed over the guidewire/dilator822.

The needle hub 814 further includes a needle retraction system 818 forselectively retracting the needle 816 into the housing 812 so as toisolate the distal tip of the needle from the user in a safe manner. Theretraction system 818 includes a spring 819 or other suitable retractiondevice operably coupled to the needle 816 for effecting the needleretraction.

An advancement assembly 820 is shown for selectively advancing theguidewire/dilator 822 as well as the catheter 42. The advancementassembly 820 includes a slide 828 that travels in a track 830 defined inthe housing 812. The slide 828 is operably attached to a ratchet bar 824slidably disposed within the housing 812. The ratchet bar 824 includes aplurality of upper teeth 826 for selective catheter advancement, and atleast one lower tooth 826A for actuating a retraction trigger 880 of theneedle retraction system 818, as will be described. The hub 46 of thecatheter 42 disposed within the housing 812 has removably attachedthereto a cap 834 including a prong 836 for engaging the upper teeth 826of the ratchet bar 824.

The insertion tool 810 further includes a support structure 870 forstabilizing the needle 816, including a housing hole 872 defined by thedistal end of the housing 812. The housing hole 872 is sized to providestability to the needle 816 at its point of exit from the housing.

FIGS. 32A-32I depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 810 ininserting a catheter into a patient. With the insertion tool 810 in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 32A, vascular access is achieved with theneedle 816 via user insertion of the needle into the patient at aninsertion site. Blood flashback can be observed via the distal slot 816Aof the needle 816 to confirm proper positioning of the distal end of theneedle within the patient's vessel. As shown in FIG. 32B, the slide 828is slid distally to advance the guidewire/dilator 822, a distal portionof which is pre-disposed within the needle 816 via the distal slot 816A,distally out the distal end of the needle and into the vessel of thepatient. As shown, the guidewire/dilator 822 is advanced indirectly bythe ratchet bar 824, which is moved by the slide 828. In particular, aproximate one of the upper teeth 826 of the ratchet bar 824 engages theprong 836 of the cap 834 fitted over the catheter hub 46. Thus, when theslide 828 and ratchet bar 824 are moved distally, the catheter 42 andguidewire/dilator 822 disposed therein are also moved distally, as shownin FIG. 32B. Similar ratcheting movement occurs in the successive stepsas well.

Sliding of the slide 828 in the stage shown in FIG. 32B also causes thebottom tooth 826A of the ratchet bar 824 to engage the retractiontrigger 880 of the needle retraction system 818. This in turn enablesthe spring 819 to expand and retract the needle 816 and retractionsystem 818 into the housing 812 such that the distal tip of the needleis isolated from the user within the housing.

FIG. 32C shows the return of the slide 828 to its initial position,which causes the ratchet bar 824 to also return to its initial position.Because the prong 836 of the cap 834 attached to the catheter hub 46 isdistally angled, however, the teeth 826 of the ratchet bar slide pastwithout retracting the catheter 42 such that the catheter remains inposition.

In FIG. 32D, the slide 828 is again distally advanced, which causes aproximate upper tooth 826 of the ratchet bar 824 to engage the cap prong836 and further advance the guidewire/dilator 822 distally into thevessel. As it is disposed over the guidewire/dilator 822, the catheter42 at this or a successive stage is also advanced into the vessel,depending on catheter length, distance to insertion site, etc. The slide828 is subsequently retracted to its initial position, as shown in FIG.32E. Note that ratchet retraction can be user activated or automaticallyactivated by a suitable system included in the insertion tool 810.

In FIG. 32F, the slide 828 and ratchet bar 824 are again distallyadvanced, resulting in further distal advancement out of the housing 812of the guidewire/dilator 822 and catheter 42. The slide 828 issubsequently retracted to its initial position, as shown in FIG. 32G. InFIG. 32H, the slide 828 and ratchet bar 824 are distally advanced afinal time, resulting in near-complete distal advancement of theguidewire/dilator 822 and attached catheter 42 from the housing 812 ofthe insertion tool 810. At this stage, the hub 46 of the catheter 42 canbe grasped and the catheter removed from the insertion tool 810, whichcan then be discarded. Final positioning of the catheter 42 within thevessel can then be manually performed by the user. The cap 834 is alsoremoved from the catheter hub 46.

FIGS. 33A-33C depict details of a needle safety component for isolatingthe distal end 16A of the needle 16, the needle including the distalnotch 18 as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-10C, accordingto one embodiment. As shown, a safety housing 954 including a hingeddoor is included so as to ride over the needle 16. Two needle safetycomponents 956 are oppositely disposed within the safety housing 954 andeach also rides over the needle 16. Each needle safety componentincludes a base 958 defining a hole through which the needle 16 passesand a plurality of arms 960. The arms 960 extend from the base 958 andconverge toward one another in conical fashion such that an end of eacharm abuts the needle surface. The arms 960 are configured to engage thenotch 18 defined in the distal portion of the needle 16 and preventfurther movement of the needle 16 with respect to the needle safetycomponent 956. In particular, each arm 960 compressively engages theouter surface of the needle 16 such that when one of the arms encountersthe needle notch 18, the arm will descend into the notch slightly so asto lock the needle 16 in place with respect to the needle safetycomponent 956. Two needle safety components 956 are disposed in thesafety housing 954 so as to prevent further needle movement in eitherdirection, distally or proximally. Thus, the distal end 16A of theneedle 16 is safely isolated within the safety housing 954, as seen inFIGS. 33A-33C. Note that the needle safety component described here isuseful for isolating a needle even when the guidewire 22 still extendstherethrough, as seen in FIG. 33C, for example.

In other embodiments, only one needle safety component as describedabove may be used. Thus, the needle safety component described hereserves as one example of a variety of needle safety components that maybe employed in connection with the present disclosure.

It is appreciated that in one embodiment the insertion tool can includea sterile sheath or bag that is disposed over a distal portion of thecatheter that distally extends from the insertion tool housing so as toisolate the catheter. The needle, pre-disposed within the catheter andretractable into the insertion tool housing, can extend from the bag togain vascular access. Thereafter, the bag can be compressed toward thehousing as the catheter is advanced into the vasculature, then disposedof once the catheter is fully inserted. In one embodiment, the bag caninclude a grip wing or other device that helps to grasp the catheter orneedle through the bag during insertion. Further note that the insertiontools described herein can include a cap or other protective device thatis removably attached to the insertion tool before use so as to preservethe sterility of the needle and catheter.

Reference is now made to FIG. 34, which depicts an exploded view of thecatheter insertion device 10 according to one embodiment, includingcomponents similar to those that have already been described above. Assuch, only selected differences are discussed below.

FIG. 34 shows that in the present embodiment the guidewire 22 is loopedback on itself to substantially define a U-shaped configuration. FIGS.36A and 36B shows the manner in which the guidewire 22 is disposedwithin the housing 12 of the catheter insertion device 10. Inparticular, these figures show that a proximal end of the guidewire 22is anchored to a portion of the device 10, namely, at an anchor point982 on the top portion 12A of the housing 12. FIG. 37 shows that theguidewire 22 extends proximally and removably within a guide channel 984defined on an interior surface of the top housing portion 12A. FIGS. 36Aand 36B show that an intermediate portion of the guidewire 22 loops backon itself proximate the proximal end of the device 10. Guide surfaces980 (FIG. 35) disposed near the proximal end of the guidewire lever 24constrain the flexible guidewire 22 into the looped, substantiallyU-shaped configuration. The looped-back intermediate portion of theguidewire 22 then extends toward the distal end of the device 10 along achannel 986, best seen in FIG. 38, defined on an interior surface of thebottom housing portion 12B of the housing 12 before it passes into thehollow needle 16. The free distal end of the guidewire 22 initiallyresides within the needle 16.

So disposed as described immediately above, the guidewire 22 ispositioned for selective advancement by the guidewire advancementassembly 20 such that the free distal end thereof can distally extendfrom the open distal tip of the needle 16. This selective advancement ofthe guidewire 22 is achieved in the present embodiment via distalmovement of the guidewire advancement slide 28 included on the devicehousing 12. Distal movement of the guidewire advancement slide 28 causescorresponding distal sliding movement of the guidewire lever 24. Theguide surfaces 980 of the guidewire lever 24 push the bend of theguidewire 22 distally as the lever advances. Note that the guidewire 22is sufficiently rigid so as to be advanced by the guidewire lever 24without buckling. Also, the guide surfaces 980 and guidewire 22 areconfigured to enable retraction of the guidewire 22 back into theinsertion tool housing 12 when the guidewire advancement slide 28 orother suitable mechanism is slid proximally.

This pushing movement of the slidable guidewire lever 24 causes thedistal end of the guidewire 22 to extend distally from the open distaltip of the needle 16. Because of its anchored proximal end at anchorpoint 982 and its bent or looped U-shape configuration, the guidewire 22is distally advanced at a rate of about twice the rate of sliding of theguidewire advancement slide 28 and about twice the rate of guidewireadvancement in the device configuration of FIGS. 1A-9, which results inabout twice the length of guidewire extension when compared with thelength of movement of the guidewire advancement slide 28. This furtherdesirably results in a relatively longer length of guidewire extensioninto the vein or other patient vessel so as to more suitably guide thecatheter 42 into the patient's body. As such, the guidewire andadvancement assembly described here operates as a type of “reversepulley” system for distal guidewire advancement. Note that other loopingconfigurations of the guidewire can be included with the device 10 inaddition to those shown and described herein. Also, differing ratios ofguidewire extension vs. advancement assembly movement are also possiblein other embodiments.

Note that the looping conduit and guidewire advancement handle are onlyexamples of structures that can suitably perform the desiredfunctionality described herein. Indeed, other structures can be employedto accomplish the principles described in connection with the presentembodiment. Also, though shown and described above to be attached to thecatheter insertion device housing, the proximal end of the guidewire canbe attached to other structures within/on the device, such as the needlehub 14, for instance. The majority length of the guidewire in oneembodiment includes a metal alloy of nickel and titanium commonlyreferred to as nitinol, which is sufficiently rigid and can be disposedin the U-shaped configuration without retaining a memory of thatposition when the guidewire is advanced. Note that other suitableguidewire materials can also be employed.

FIGS. 39A and 39B depict various details regarding the binding element80, described further above, of the needle safety component 56 forshielding the distal tip of the needle 16 once catheter insertion iscomplete. As shown, the binding element 80 (which is also referred toherein as a binding member) includes a front plate 992 defining a hole992A, and a forked back plate 994. A protuberance 996 extends from oneof the forks of the back plate 994. A horseshoe-shaped needlepass-through element 998 is also included in a spaced-apart arrangementfrom the front plate 992 and defines a hole 998A in coaxial alignmentwith the hole 992A of the front plate.

A friction element 1000, also referred to herein as a friction member,is also included with the binding element 80 in the present embodiment,namely, an annular elastomeric element, or O-ring 1002, as seen in FIGS.40A and 40B. As shown, the O-ring 1002 is configured to wrap around botha portion of the needle 16 and the forked back plate 994. Theprotuberance 996 is employed to aid in maintaining the O-ring 1002 inplace as shown in FIGS. 40A and 40B. With the O-ring 1002 so positioned,a relatively constant urging force is imparted by the O-ring to thebinding element 80, for use in shielding the distal tip of the needle16, as will be described further below. Note that the elastomericelement can take forms other than an O-ring while performing the samefunctionality. For instance, a rod or length of elastomeric materialthat is wrapped about a portion of the binding element and the needlecould also be employed.

FIGS. 40C and 40D show the binding element 80 disposed in the carriage1008, which is in turn disposed within the safety housing 54. As shown,the carriage 1008 defines two constraining surfaces 1010 against whichcorresponding portions of the front plate 992 of the binding elementinitially rest when the needle 16 initially extends through the carriageand the binding element. A retaining ring 1008A through which the needle16 slidably passes enables engagement of the needle with the carriage1008.

The binding element 80 is initially slidably disposed with the needle 16in the state shown in 40A-40D (showing the binding element before it hasshielded the distal tip of the needle) such that relative slidingmovement between the needle and the binding element is permitted.Passage of the needle 16 through the hole 998A of the needlepass-through element 998 initially limits canting movement of thebinding element 80.

The needle 16 also passes through the hole 992A of the front plate 992such that the needle is straddled by the forks of the forked back plate994. As mentioned, the O-ring 1002 is disposed about the needle 16 andthe back plate 994 so as to provide a drag force when the carriage 1008and binding element 80 (both housed within the safety housing 54 (FIG.34) are slid distally along the length of the needle 16 during use ofthe device 10. The drag force provided by the O-ring 1002 during suchdistal sliding in turn imparts a rotational moment on the bindingelement 80 (by virtue of forces provided via the contact of the bindingelement with the O-ring) to urge the binding element to rotate in aclockwise motion, from the perspective of the drawing shown in FIG. 40C.

Such clockwise rotation of the binding element 80 is prevented by theneedle pass-through feature 998 while the needle 16 extends through thebinding element. Once the safety housing 54 containing the carriage 1008and binding element 80 has been slid distally a sufficient distance suchthat the needle pass-through element 998 slides past and off the distalend of the needle 16, however, the binding element is no longerconstrained and the drag force imparted by the O-ring 1002 causes thebinding element to cant clockwise with respect to the needle, from theperspective of the drawing shown in FIG. 40C. This canting locksmovement of the binding element 80 and, by extension, the carriage 1008,with respect to the needle 16, by virtue of physical binding between theouter surface of the needle 16 with the perimeter of the front platehole 992A, which thus acts as a binding surface. With the distal tip ofthe needle 16 safely disposed within the locked carriage 1008, the useris thus protected from an accidental needle stick.

As mentioned above, the O-ring 1002 imparts a relatively constant urgingforce for canting the binding element 80, which keeps the bindingelement canted (after withdrawal of the needle distal tip into thecarriage as described above) so as to more securely lock the carriage1008 over the distal tip of the needle 16. This constant urging force isbeneficial, for example, in instances when the needle 16 is pushed backand forth with respect to safety housing 54/carriage 1008 after it hasbeen locked over the needle distal tip to ensure that the bindingelement does not return to an orientation in which the needlepass-through feature 998 can re-engage the needle 16 and unlock theneedle safety component 56. Note that the O-ring 1002 can be employedwith needles and binding elements larger or smaller than those shown anddescribed herein.

The O-ring 1002 in the above embodiments is sufficiently compliant so asto stretch over the aforementioned structures while imparting thedesired force, as explained above. In one embodiment, the O-ring 1002material includes any one or more of natural or synthetic rubber,elastomers, polymers, thermoplastics, silicones, etc. In one embodiment,the O-ring material is selected so as to provide sufficient tearresistance, ability to impart the desired friction, and chemicalcompatibility. The size of the O-ring can vary according to the size andconfiguration of the binding element and needle. In other embodiments,the O-ring can include other shapes, materials, and positionalplacements while still providing the intended functionality.

FIG. 41A shows that the guidewire lever 24 can include a catheteradvancement feature that enables the guidewire lever to distally advancethe catheter 42 in addition to advancing the guidewire 22 as describedabove. In the present embodiment, the catheter advancement featureincludes an advancement tab 1014 disposed on the proximal portion 24A ofthe guidewire lever 24 and disposed so as to physically engage the cap58 of the safety housing 54 when the guidewire lever 24 is moveddistally via distal sliding by the user of the slide 28 (FIG. 34). Suchengagement is shown in FIG. 41B. Further distal movement of theguidewire lever 24 results in distal advancement of the safety can 54and the catheter 42 indirectly but operably attached thereto (FIG. 34).The slide 28 in the present embodiment can be slid to distally advancethe catheter 42 a predetermined distance via the advancement tab 1014 ofthe guidewire lever 24. In one embodiment, the predetermined distanceadvances the catheter 42 until its distal end distally advances over thedistal tip of the needle 16. Further distal advancement of the catheter42 can be achieved via distal sliding of the handle 48 as needed (FIG.34). In another embodiment, the slide 28 is configured to distallyadvance the catheter the full distal distance needed, via theadvancement tab 1014.

The position of the advancement tab 1014 of FIG. 41A is such so as toprovide staged advancement of the guidewire 22 and catheter 42. Inparticular, distal advancement of the guidewire lever 24 from theposition shown in FIG. 41A produces immediate advancement of theguidewire 22 while the safety housing 54 and catheter 42 remain inplace. Further distal advancement of the guidewire lever 24 to theposition shown in FIG. 41B causes the advancement tab 1014 to engage anddistally advance the safety can 54 and catheter 42, as described above,while continuing to distally advance the guidewire 22.

Thus, in addition to distally advancing the guidewire 22 out through theneedle 16, the guidewire lever 24 can also advance the catheter 42distally along the needle 16 and into a vessel of the patient, asdescribed further above. Note that the particular shape andconfiguration of the advancement tab 1014, together with its manner ofengagement with, and magnitude of travel imparted to, the safety housingand/or catheter can vary from what is shown and described herein.

FIGS. 42 and 43 depict details of the guidewire 22 configured inaccordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 42, the guidewire 22includes an elongate core wire 1102 that includes a reduced-diameterdistal portion 1104. An outer coil 1108 extends about the core wire 1102proximally from the distal end 1102B thereof. A stiffening sleeve 1110is disposed about the core wire 1102 proximal and adjacent to the coil1108 within the reduced-diameter distal portion 1104. The stiffeningsleeve 1110 can be glued, welded, press-fit, or otherwise secured to thecore wire 1102.

The portion of the guidewire 22 on which the coil 1108 is included isdesigned so as to be relatively flexible so as to non-traumaticallyenter a vein or other vessel of a patient and to guide the catheter 42into the vein during catheter insertion using the insert tool describedherein. In contrast, the portion of the guidewire 22 on which thestiffening sleeve 1110 is included is relatively rigid. As seen in FIG.43, the stiffening sleeve 1110 is positioned so that it is disposedadjacent the distal tip 16B of the needle 16 of the insertion tool uponfull extension of the guidewire 22 during insertion tool use. Togetherwith the back-cut bevel of the needle distal tip 16B, the stiffeningsleeve 1110 effectively blunts the needle distal tip, thus preventinginadvertent piercing or shearing of the catheter tube 44 by the needledistal tip during catheter insertion into the vein. The stiffeningsleeve 1110 can be sized so as to substantially occupy the whole of thediameter of the needle lumen at the distal tip 16B so that iteffectively prevents the needle distal tip from being able to pierce thecatheter tube 44, even if the catheter tube is retracted while disposedover the needle, or if the needle is re-inserted into the catheter tube.Note that, in another embodiment, the core wire itself can be used toblunt the needle distal tip. In one embodiment, the coil 1108 caninclude platinum, stainless steel, titanium, nitinol, or other materialhaving suitable tensile strength and formability. In one embodiment, thestiffening sleeve 1110 includes stainless steel, titanium, high-rigiditythermoplastic, or other suitable material, and the core wire 1102includes nitinol, though other suitable materials may be used for theseand other related components.

FIG. 42 further shows that the core wire 1102 of the guidewire 22 caninclude a notch 1112 disposed proximal to the distal portion 1104 of thecore wire. The notch 1112 serves as a relative weak point forpreferential breaking of the guidewire 22 at the notch should theguidewire be subjected to excessive physical forces. By breaking at thenotch 1112, the broken-off distal segment of the guidewire is largeenough as to not be embolized into the vessel of the patient and can bereadily removed manually from the body. The particular location of thenotch on the guidewire can vary.

FIG. 44 shows that, in one embodiment, the distal end of the cathetertube 44 of the catheter 42 of the insertion tool can include areinforcement component 1118 disposed substantially at the distal end44A of the catheter tube. As shown in FIG. 44, the reinforcementcomponent 1118 here includes an annular sleeve that defines the distalend 44A of the catheter tube 44. Including a sufficiently rigidmaterial, such as aromatic polyurethane, carbothane, isoplast, pebax,nylon, or other suitable medical grade thermoplastic, metals includingstainless steel, titanium, nitinol, etc., the reinforcement component1118 is positioned and designed to prevent collapse of the distal end44A of the catheter tube 44 during fluid aspiration through a lumen 1114of the catheter tube after the catheter 42 has been placed within thepatient vasculature. In one embodiment, the reinforcement component 1118includes a material that is non-softening at internal body temperature,includes a similar melt temperature to that of the material of thecatheter tube 44, and is biocompatible. In one embodiment, thereinforcement component 1118 includes a material having a hardnessbetween about 60D and about 75D Shore hardness, though other hardnessratings are possible. In another embodiment, the reinforcement component1118 can include a radiopacifier, such as bismuth trioxide, bariumsulfate, etc., to enhance radiopacity of the distal end 44A of thecatheter tube 44.

FIGS. 45A and 45B depict details regarding the manufacture of thecatheter tube 44 of FIG. 44, according to one embodiment, though othertechniques can be employed. As shown, during manufacture a shapedmandrel 1120 is disposed within the lumen 1114 of the catheter tube 44.The pre-formed, annular reinforcement component 1118 is disposed about atip portion 1122 of the mandrel 1120 as to be interposed between themandrel and the catheter tube 44 and substantially co-terminal with thedistal end 44A thereof, in the present embodiment. In other embodiments,the reinforcement component 1118 can also positioned so as to produce afinished reinforcement component position that terminates proximal tothe distal end 44A of the catheter tube 44, co-terminal therewith, ordistal thereto, so as to customize a desired reinforcement profile, orto accommodate processing parameters, etc.

A tipping die 1124 is then paced over the distal end of the cathetertube 44, and a radio frequency (“RF”) tipping process is carried out soas to form the distal end of the catheter tube with the reinforcementcomponent 1118 included therein, as shown in FIG. 44. A plug 1126 ofexcess material is often created as a result of the tipping process, andcan be discarded. In addition to this, other processes can be employedto form the reinforcement structure with the distal end of the cathetertube.

Other embodiments of reinforcement structures for the distal end 44A ofthe catheter tube 44 are possible, such as the reinforcement components1118 shown in FIGS. 46 and 47A, for example. FIG. 47B shows anotherembodiment, wherein the reinforcement component 1118 is set backproximal to the distal end of the catheter tube 44, thus illustratingthat the reinforcement component need not be disposed at the distal endof the catheter tube in one embodiment. As such, these and otherreinforcement designs are therefore contemplated.

FIGS. 48A-48F depict various details of the insertion tool 10 accordingto another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 48A, the insertion tool 10includes the top and bottom housing portions 12A, 12B of the housing 12,from which extends the catheter 42 disposed over the needle 16. Alsoshown is a finger pad 1218 of the guidewire advancement assembly 20slidably disposed in a slot 1236 defined in the top housing portion 12A,and a portion of a handle assembly 1220 of the catheter advancementassembly 40. Further details are given below of the present insertiontool 10 and its various details in accordance with the presentembodiment.

FIGS. 48A-48F show that the finger pad 1218 as part of the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 can be slid by a finger(s) of the user distallyalong the slot 1236 in order to enable selective advancement of theguidewire 22 (initially disposed within the lumen of the needle 16) outpast the distal end 16B of the needle 16. As before, a proximal end ofthe guidewire 22 is attached to an interior portion of the top housingportion 12A such that a single unit of distal sliding advancement of thefinger pad 1218 results in two units of distal guidewire advancement.This, as before, is made possible by looping the guidewire 22 from itsattachment point on the top housing portion 12A and through the guidesurfaces 980 included on the guidewire lever 24 (FIGS. 53A and 53B)before extending into the lumen of the needle 16. Note that in thepresent embodiment the guidewire lever 24 and finger pad 1218 of theguidewire advancement assembly 20 are integrally formed with oneanother, though they may be separately formed in other embodiments. Notealso that the guidewire 22 can be attached to other external or internalportions of the insertion tool 10, including the bottom housing portion12B, the needle hub 1214, etc.

FIGS. 48A-48F further show that the catheter advancement assembly 40 forselectively advancing the catheter 42 in a distal direction out from thehousing 12 of the insertion tool 10 includes a handle assembly 1220,which in turn includes among other components two wings 1280 that aregrasped by the fingers of the user when the catheter is to be advanced.As will discussed in further detail below, the wings 1280 distallyadvanced via the gap 1250 defined between the top and bottom housingportions 12A, 12B.

The top and bottom housing portions 12A, 12B are mated together via theengagement of four tabs 1230 (FIGS. 48D, 49) of the top housing portionwith four corresponding recesses 1232 located on the bottom housingportion. Of course, other mating mechanisms and schemes can be employedfor joining the top and bottom housing portions together.

The exploded view of the insertion tool 10 in FIG. 49 shows that thehandle assembly 1220 includes a head portion 1222 from which extend thewings 1280, and a tail portion 1224. Both the head portion 1222 and thetail portion 1224 are removably attached to the catheter hub 46, as willbe discussed further below. Internal components of the insertion tool 10that are disposed within the housing 12, each of which is passed throughby the needle 16 include valve 52, the safety housing 54 in which thecarriage 1008 and the needle safety component 56 is disposed, and thecap 58 of the safety housing. The O-ring 1002 that is included with theneedle safety component 56 is also shown, as is a needle hub 1214, whichis secured to a proximal end of the needle 16 and is mounted to thehousing 12 to secure the needle 16 in place within the insertion tool10. Note in FIG. 49 that, in one embodiment, the slot 1236 in which thefinger pad of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 is disposed includesa relatively wide portion to enable the guidewire lever 24 to beinserted therethrough in order to couple the guidewire advancementassembly to the housing 12.

FIGS. 50A and 50B depict various details regarding the stabilitystructure 70 for supporting and stabilizing the needle 16 at its exitpoint from the housing 12, according to the present embodiment. Asshown, proximal portions of the top and bottom housing 12A, 12Binter-engage to provide the stability structure 70 for the needle 16.The bottom housing portion 12B includes two distally-disposed arms 1248separated by a slot 1246 that enables the arms, when unconstrained, toseparate from one another. The top housing portion 12A defines a distalslot 1240 and a horseshoe feature 1242 distal to the slot. Given thedownward curvature of the top housing portion 12A (see FIG. 48C), theslot 1240 enables the arms 1248 of the bottom housing portion 12B toprotrude upward through the slot to surround and support the needle 16in order to stabilize it. The horseshoe feature 1242 is disposed aboutthe needle 16 at the distal end of the bottom housing arms 1248 and actsas a collar to stabilize the needle.

The arms 1248 of the bottom housing portion 12B are configured to beable to move back and forth in the x-direction, according to the x-yaxis shown in FIGS. 50A and 50B, while remaining substantially rigid inthe y-direction. Conversely, the distal portion of the top housingportion 12A that includes the slot 1240 and the horseshoe feature 1242is configured so as to flex in the y-direction according to the x-y axisshown in FIGS. 50A and 50B, while remaining substantially rigid in thex-direction. Thus, when overlapped or inter-engaged as shown in FIGS.50A and 50B, the above-referenced components of the stability structure70 cooperate to support the needle 16 and prevent its substantialmovement when the housing 12 is in the configuration shown in FIGS. 50A,50B, that is, before removal of the catheter 42 from the housing 12.This in turn assists the user in accurately piercing the skin andaccessing a vessel of the patient. It is appreciated that the stabilitystructure can include other components to stabilize the needle inaddition to those explicitly described herein.

FIGS. 51-54 depict various details regarding the catheter advancementassembly 40 and the guidewire advancement assembly 20, according to thepresent embodiment. As discussed, the catheter advancement assembly 40includes the handle assembly 1220, which in turn includes the headportion 1222 with the corresponding wings 1280, and the tail portion1224 disposed about a portion of the catheter hub 46 and the safetyhousing 54. As will be discussed further below, the handle assembly 1220is employed in distally advancing and removing the catheter 42 from theinsertion tool 10.

FIGS. 51-54 further show the finger pad 1218 and the guidewire lever 24of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 for the present embodiment. Asshown, the guidewire lever 24 extends proximally from the finger pad1218 and includes on its proximal end the previously discussed guidesurfaces 980 for guiding the looping of the guidewire 22. An actuationblock 1258 is also included near the proximal end of the guidewire lever24 for use in enabling catheter advancement, as will be describedfurther below. Note that the particular size, shape, and otherconfiguration of the actuation block can vary from what is shown anddescribed herein while retaining the desired functionality.

A spring arm 1260 extends downward from the guidewire lever 24 and isconfigured to be slidably retained between two guide posts 1264 of theneedle hub 1214, as best seen in FIGS. 53A and 53B. The spring arm 1260is employed for locking further movement of the guidewire advancementassembly 20 once the guidewire 22 has been fully distally extended fromthe insertion tool 10 and the catheter 42 advanced an incrementalamount. In particular, distal sliding by the user of the finger pad 1218causes the guidewire lever 24 to also distally move, which in turndistally advances the guidewire 22 (which internally loops past theguide surfaces 980 of the guidewire lever 24 and into the needle lumen)through the lumen of the needle 16 and past the needle distal end 16B,as seen in FIG. 54.

Upon full distal advancement of the finger pad 1218 and guidewire lever24 as seen in FIG. 54, the free end of the spring arm 1260 is disposedjust above a pocket 1266 defined between the guide posts 1264 of theneedle hub 1214, as seen in FIG. 53B. Because of the location of thesafety housing 54 proximal and adjacent to the needle hub 1214 at thisstage (the catheter 42—and also the attached safety housing—in itsinitial seated position due to it having not yet been distally advancedvia distal advancement of the catheter advancement assembly 40 asdescribed further below), the free end of the spring arm 1260 cannot yetseat in the pocket 1266. Once the catheter 42 is advanced an incrementaldistance distally, however, the attached safety housing 54 no longerimpedes downward movement of the spring arm 1260 and the free endthereof seats into the pocket 1266 of the needle hub 1214. Furtherdistal movement of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 is prevented byimpingement of the finger pad 1218 on the distal end of the slot 1236,while proximal movement is prevented by the seating of the spring arm inthe pocket 1266 of the needle hub.

Note that the finger pad 1218 includes on its underside proximate itsdistal end a protrusion 1254 that engages with a depression 1252 definedon the top housing portion 12A when the finger pad is completelydistally advanced. This assists in keeping the finger pad 1218 seated inits distal position and provides a tactile cue that the finger pad hasbeen fully distally advanced.

Note also that, should the catheter advancement assembly 40 be movedproximally back to its initial position (as seen in FIG. 52), the safetyhousing 54 will once again abut against the needle hub 1214 and push thefree end of the spring arm 1260 up and out of the pocket 1266. This inturn enables the guidewire advancement assembly 20 to again moveproximally and distally, causing corresponding proximal and distaladvancement of the guidewire 22 itself. Thus, locking of the guidewireadvancement is reversible, in the present embodiment.

In another embodiment it is appreciated that a push button can beincluded with the guidewire advancement assembly 20 to enable theguidewire to be extended or retracted anew after locking of theguidewire has initially occurred, such as via depressing of the buttonto disengage the spring arm 1260 from the pocket 1266 of the needle hub,for instance. These and other variations are therefore contemplated.

FIGS. 55-56C show that, in accordance with the present embodiment, theinsertion tool 10 as presently described further includes locking ofcatheter movement prior to the distal advancement of the guidewire 22 asdescribed above. In detail, FIGS. 55 and 56A shows the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 and the tail portion 1224 of the handle assembly1220 of the catheter advancement assembly 40 in their initial positionswithin the insertion tool housing 12, that is, prior to distal guidewireadvancement and catheter distal advancement. In this position, twospring arms 1272 of the tail portion 1224 are positioned such that bothguide posts 1264 of the needle hub 1214 are seated within respectivenotches 1274 of the spring arms, best seen in FIG. 56A. In thisposition, the tail portion 1224 is prevented from movement. Given theattachment of the tail portion 1224 to the hub 46 of the catheter 42,this also prevents distal advancement of the catheter or any otherportion of the catheter advancement assembly 40.

As seen in FIGS. 56A and 56B, distal advancement of the guidewire lever24 causes its actuation block 1258 to engage slanted surfaces 1276 ofeach spring arm 1272. As best seen in FIG. 56B, continued distalmovement of the guidewire lever 24 causes the actuation block 1258 tospread open the spring arms 1272, which disengages the guide posts 1264from spring arm notches 1274. The actuation block 1258 impacts the guideposts 1264, as seen in FIG. 56B, at the point of full distal advancementof the guidewire 22 and the positioning of the free end of the springarm 1260 of the guidewire lever 24 just above the pocket 1266 of theneedle hub 1214, as was described above in connection with FIGS. 52-54.At this point, the spring arms 1272 of the tail portion 1224 aredisengaged from the guide posts 1264 of the needle hub 1214, and distalcatheter advancement is thus enabled, as shown by the distal movement ofthe spring arms in FIG. 56C. Also, and as was described above inconnection with FIGS. 52-54, this distal catheter advancementcorrespondingly distally moves the safety housing 54, which is attachedto the catheter 42. Movement of the safety housing causes the free endof the spring arm 1260 of the distally advanced guidewire lever 24 fallinto the pocket 1266 of the needle hub 1214, locking further movement ofthe guidewire 22 barring return of the safety housing to its initialposition adjacent the needle hub.

Thus, it is seen that the configuration of the insertion tool 10 of thepresent embodiment prevents distal movement of the catheter 42 untilfull distal extension of the guidewire 22 has occurred. Also, furthermovement of the guidewire 22 is prevented while the catheter 42 has beendistally advanced at least incrementally from its original proximalposition. In another embodiment, an incremental amount of guidewiredistal advancement could enable catheter advancement.

In yet another embodiment, locking of guidewire movement is madepermanent after full distal advancement. This could be achieved, in oneembodiment, by configuring the spring arm 1260 of the guidewire lever 24and the pocket 1266 of the needle hub 1214 to not interact with thesafety housing 54; as such, once the free end of the spring arm 1260seats within the needle hub pocket 1266, it remains seated permanently.In another embodiment, locking of catheter movement is made after fulldistal catheter advancement. In still another embodiment, guidewireand/or catheter advancement can be achieved via a ratcheting mechanism.

In another embodiment, the ability to advance the catheter is unrelatedto guidewire advancement. In yet another embodiment, the spring arm 1260of the guidewire lever 24 can be removed such that no locking of theguidewire advancement assembly 20 occurs. In turn, this enables lockingof catheter advancement until full distal guidewire advancement hasoccurred. These and other variations are therefore contemplated.

FIGS. 57A and 57B depict various details regarding the distaladvancement of the catheter 42 from the insertion tool 10. As shown,once the guidewire advancement assembly 20 has distally advanced theguidewire 22 such that it extends past the distal end 16B of the needle16, the catheter advancement assembly 40 is free (as described above inconnection with FIGS. 55-56C) to be employed in distally advancing thecatheter 42 out the distal end of the insertion tool housing 12. Thecatheter 42 is advanced by a user grasping one or both of the wings 1280of the head portion 1222 of the handle assembly 1220 and moving thewings distally. Note that ridges 1282 (FIG. 50B) are included to assistthe user in gripping the wings 1280. The wings 1280 slide distally inthe gap 1250 defined between the top and bottom housing portions. Giventhe attachment of the wings 1280 to the head portion 1222, which in turnis attached to the hub 46 of the catheter 42, distal sliding of thewings distally advances the catheter.

FIGS. 57A and 57B show that, as the catheter 42 is distally advanced,the distal movement of the wings 1280 causes the wings to impinge on andpush upwards the top housing portion 12A, which in turn lifts the distalportion of the top housing portion, including the slot 1240 and thehorseshoe feature 1242 of the stability structure 70. Lifting of theslot 1240 causes the arms 1248 of the bottom housing portion 12B todisengage from the slot, thus enabling them to spread apart. FIGS. 57Aand 57B show that two posts 1286 disposed on the head portion 1222 ofthe handle assembly 1220 (see also FIG. 60) push against each of thearms 1248 as the catheter distally advances, which causes the arms toseparate. This separation of the arms 1248, together with the lifting bythe wings 1280 of the top housing portion, enables the catheter 42 topass through the distal end of the housing 12.

FIGS. 58 and 59 show removal of the catheter 42 and catheter advancementassembly 40 from the insertion tool housing 12, wherein continued distaladvancement of the head portion 1222 via the user grasping and advancingthe wings 1280 causes the catheter 42, the handle assembly 1220(including the head portion 1222 and the tail portion 1224), and thesafety housing 54 removably attached to the catheter hub 46 to slidedistally along the needle 16 and out of the housing 12. This action isperformed, for instance, to advance the catheter tube 44 into the vesselof the patient after the needle 16 and the guidewire 22 have cooperatedto provide a pathway into the vessel.

FIG. 59 shows that further separation of the catheter 42 and handleassembly 1220 from the housing 12 causes the safety housing 54 to arriveat the distal end 16B of the needle 16, at which point the needle safetycomponent 56 disposed in the safety housing (FIG. 49) engages the needledistal tip to prevent accidental needle sticks for the user, and thesafety housing laterally detaches from the catheter hub 46 and remainswith the needle.

FIG. 60 shows various features of the handle assembly 1220, whichincludes the head portion 1222 and the tail portion 1224. After theabove separation of the safety housing 54 and needle 16 from thecatheter 42 and handle assembly 1220, the head portion 1222 and the tailportion 1224 remain attached to the needle hub 46 and its correspondingstrain relief 47 via clip arms 1300 and 1304, respectively. At thispoint, the head portion 1222 can be removed from the catheter hub46/strain relief 47 by the hand of the user to overcome the friction fitof the clip arms 1300. The tail portion 1224, which includes a loop 1306disposed about the valve 52, can also be removed via pulling andtwisting by the user to overcome the friction fit of the clip arms 1304and avoid the threads of the catheter hub 46. This action will removethe valve 52 (see FIG. 49), which is attached to the tail portion 1224.In another embodiment, the tail portion loop 1306 is configured so thatthe valve 52 is exposed after removal of the tail portion 1224 so as toenable removal of the valve by the user when desired. Once the headportion 1222 and the tail portion 1224 of the handle assembly 1220 havebeen removed from the catheter 42, the catheter can be dressed and usedas desired.

The handle assembly 1220 can be configured in other ways, in addition towhat has been described above. FIGS. 61 and 62 give one example of thehandle assembly 1220, wherein the head portion and the tail portion areunified in a singular body 1312. As shown in FIG. 62, this enables thesafety housing 54 to be removed laterally from the handle assembly 1220,after which the catheter hub 46 can be removed vertically therefrom.FIG. 63 includes a similar configuration for the handle assembly 1220,wherein the valve 52 includes oppositely-disposed extensions 1316, whichenables the extensions to be gripped (after lateral removal of thesafety housing 54) and the handle assembly 1220 is removed vertically.These actions leave the valve 52 and its extensions 1316 attached to thehub 46 of the catheter 42, at which point the valve can be removed fromthe hub laterally, using the extensions if desired.

In FIG. 64, the handle assembly 1220 includes a singular body thatdefines a living hinge 1320 disposed just distal to the loop 1306,though other locations for the living hinge are possible. Note that theloop 1306 captures the valve 52. In one embodiment, the valve 52 isintegrally formed with or attached to the handle assembly body. Inanother embodiment, the valve 52 is separate from the handle assembly1220 and is not affected by removal of the handle assembly 1220. Thehandle assembly 1220 further includes the clip arms 1304 that removablyattach to the catheter hub 46 to secure the catheter 42 in place. Posts1286 are also included on the handle assembly 1220, as in previousembodiments.

As FIG. 65 shows, the wings 1280 can be grasped to arcuately pull thedistal portion of the handle assembly 1220 proximally, which thendisengages the clip arms 1304 and posts 1286 from the catheter hub 46and enables the handle assembly and valve 52 to be pulled from thecatheter hub laterally. These and other handle assembly configurationsare therefore contemplated.

FIGS. 66A-66C depict details of an insertion tool including a catheteradvancement configuration according to one embodiment, wherein aninsertion tool housing 1340 includes a catheter advancement lever 1344that engages with a guidewire advance button such that the catheteradvancement lever is initially maintained in a depressed positionunderneath the guidewire advance button, preventing catheteradvancement. Once the guidewire advance button 1348 is moved distally,the catheter advancement lever 1344 pops upward, which unlocks catheteradvancement and enables the catheter tube 44 to be distally advanced,such as by distal movement of the catheter advancement lever. It isappreciated that one or more of a variety of internal mechanisms can beincluded in the housing 1340 to facilitate the functionality describedhere.

Note that the insertion tool 10 as described immediately above isconfigured so that it can be grasped by a hand of the user and employedin deploying the catheter into the patient without the need for the userto move the hand grasping the device. In particular, the finger pad 1218of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 and the wings 1280 of thecatheter advancement assembly 40 are positioned distal relative to thelocation where the user grasps the housing 12 in order to use theinsertion tool 10, thus eliminating the need for the user to move thegrasping hand during advancement of the finger pad or wings.

In one embodiment, the user grasps the insertion tool housing 12 withone hand and uses the other hand to advance at least one of the fingerpad 1218 and the wings 1280, again without moving the hand grasping theinsertion tool housing. In another embodiment, the user can use thefingers of the hand grasping the insertion tool housing to advance oneor both of the finger pad 1218 and the wings 1280.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 67A-67F, which depict various detailsregarding a catheter insertion tool (“insertion tool” or “insertiondevice”), generally depicted at 10, according to one embodiment. Notethat, while the discussion below focuses on the placement of cathetersof a particular type and relatively short length, catheters of a varietyof types, sizes, and lengths can be inserted via the present device,including peripheral IVs, intermediate or extended-dwell catheters,PICCs, central venous catheters, etc. In one embodiment, cathetershaving a length between about 2.0 inches and about 2.9 inches can beplaced, though many other lengths are also possible. In anotherembodiment a catheter having a length between about 2.25 inches andabout 2.75 inches can be placed.

As shown, the insertion tool 10 includes a housing 12 that in turnincludes a top housing portion 12A separably mated with a bottom housingportion 12B. A needle 16 extends from the housing, over which isdisposed a catheter 42. Also shown is a finger pad 1218 of the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 slidably disposed in a slot 1236 defined in thetop housing portion 12A, and a portion of a handle assembly 1220 of thecatheter advancement assembly 40. The finger pad 1218 is also referredto herein as a first user engagement component. Further details aregiven below of the present insertion tool 10 and its various details inaccordance with the present embodiment.

FIGS. 67A-67F show that the finger pad 1218 as part of the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 can be slid by a thumb and/or finger(s) of theuser distally along the slot 1236 in order to enable selectiveadvancement of the guidewire 22 (initially disposed within the lumen ofthe hollow needle 16) out past the distal end 16B of the needle 16. Asbefore, a proximal end of the guidewire 22 is attached to an interiorportion of the top housing portion 12A such that a single distance unitof distal sliding advancement of the finger pad 1218 results in twodistance units of distal guidewire advancement. This, as before, is madepossible by looping the guidewire 22 from its attachment point on thetop housing portion 12A and through the guide surfaces 980 included onthe proximal portion of the guidewire lever 24 (FIGS. 72A and 72B)before extending into the lumen of the needle 16. Note that in thepresent embodiment the guidewire lever 24 and finger pad 1218 of theguidewire advancement assembly 20 are integrally formed with oneanother, though they may be separately formed in other embodiments. Notealso that the guidewire 22 can be attached to other external or internalportions of the insertion tool 10, including the bottom housing portion12B, the needle hub 1214, etc.

FIGS. 67A-67F further show that the catheter advancement assembly 40 forselectively advancing the catheter 42 in a distal direction out from thehousing 12 of the insertion tool 10 includes a handle assembly 1220,which in turn includes among other components a finger pad portion 1290that is moved by a thumb and/or finger(s) of the user when the catheteris to be advanced. As will be discussed in further detail below, thefinger pad portion 1290 is distally advanced via the gap 1250 definedbetween the top and bottom housing portions 12A, 12B. The finger padportion 1290 is also referred to herein as a second user engagementcomponent, while the afore-mentioned finger pad 1218 of the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 is also referred to herein as the second userengagement component.

The top and bottom housing portions 12A, 12B are mated together via theengagement of four tabs 1230 (FIGS. 67D, 68) of the top housing portionwith four corresponding recesses 1232 located on the bottom housingportion. Of course, other mating mechanisms and schemes can be employedfor joining the top and bottom housing portions together.

The exploded view of the insertion tool 10 in FIG. 68 shows that thehandle assembly 1220 includes a head portion 1222 of which the fingerpad portion 1290 is a part, and a tail portion 1224. Both the headportion 1222 and the tail portion 1224 are removably attached to thecatheter hub 46, as will be discussed further below. Internal componentsof the insertion tool 10 that are disposed within the housing 12, eachof which is passed through by the needle 16 include the valve 52, thesafety housing 54 in which a carriage and a needle safety component isdisposed, and the cap 58 of the safety housing. An O-ring may beincluded with the needle safety component. A needle hub 1214, which issecured to a proximal end of the needle 16, is mounted to the housing 12to secure the needle 16 in place within the insertion tool 10. Note inFIG. 68 that, in one embodiment, the slot 1236 in which the finger padof the guidewire advancement assembly 20 is disposed includes arelatively wide portion, or slot cavity 1236A, to enable the guidewirelever 24 to be inserted therethrough in order to couple the guidewireadvancement assembly to the housing 12, as well as to lock guidewiremovement, as will be seen.

FIGS. 69A and 69B depict various details regarding the stabilitystructure 70 for supporting and stabilizing the needle 16 at its exitpoint from the housing 12, according to the present embodiment. Asshown, proximal portions of the top and bottom housing 12A, 12Binter-engage to provide the stability structure 70 for the needle 16.The bottom housing portion 12B includes two distally-disposed arms 1248separated by a slot 1246 that enables the arms, when unconstrained, toseparate from one another. The top housing portion 12A defines a distalslot 1240 and a fork 1241 adjacent the slot. Given the downwardcurvature of the distal portion of the top housing portion 12A (see FIG.67C), the slot 1240 enables the arms 1248 of the bottom housing portion12B to protrude upward through the slot to surround and support theneedle 16 in order to stabilize it. Additionally, the fork 1241 of thetop housing portion 12A abuts the arms 1248 of the bottom housingportion 12B so as to prevent spreading of the arms while stabilitystructure is mated and has not been spread open, as described below.This provides stability and support for the needle 16, as is desired.

The arms 1248 of the bottom housing portion 12B are configured to beable to move back and forth in the x-direction, according to the x-yaxis shown in FIGS. 69A and 69B, while remaining substantially rigid inthe y-direction. Conversely, the distal portion of the top housingportion 12A that includes the slot 1240 and the fork 1241 is configuredso as to flex in the y-direction according to the x-y axis shown inFIGS. 69A and 69B, while remaining substantially rigid in thex-direction. Thus, when overlapped or inter-engaged as shown in FIGS.69A and 69B, the above-referenced components of the stability structure70 cooperate to support the needle 16 and prevent its substantialmovement when the housing 12 is in the configuration shown in FIGS. 69A,69B, that is, before removal of the catheter 42 from the housing 12.This in turn assists the user in accurately piercing the skin andaccessing a vessel of the patient. It is appreciated that the stabilitystructure can include other components to stabilize the needle inaddition to those explicitly described herein.

FIGS. 70-73 depict various details regarding the catheter advancementassembly 40 and the advancement assembly 20, according to the presentembodiment. As discussed, the catheter advancement assembly 40 includesthe handle assembly 1220, which in turn includes the head portion 1222with the corresponding finger pad portion 1290, and the tail portion1224 disposed about a portion of the catheter hub 46 and the safetyhousing 54. As will be discussed further below, the handle assembly 1220is employed in distally advancing and removing the catheter 42 from theinsertion tool 10.

FIGS. 70-73 further show the finger pad 1218 and the guidewire lever 24of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 for the present embodiment. Asshown, the guidewire lever 24 extends proximally from the finger pad1218 and includes on its proximal end the previously discussed guidesurfaces 980 for guiding the looping of the guidewire 22. An actuationblock 1258 is also included near the proximal end of the guidewire lever24 for use in enabling catheter advancement, as will be describedfurther below. Note that the particular size, shape, and otherconfiguration of the actuation block can vary from what is shown anddescribed herein while retaining the desired functionality.

A spring arm 1260 extends downward (from the perspective shown in FIGS.70-73) from the guidewire lever 24 and is configured to be slidablyretained between two guide posts 1264 of the needle hub 1214, as bestseen in FIGS. 72A and 72B. The spring arm 1260 is employed for lockingfurther movement of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 once theguidewire 22 has been fully distally extended from the insertion tool 10and the catheter 42 advanced an incremental amount. In particular,distal sliding by the user of the finger pad 1218 causes the guidewirelever 24 to also distally move, which in turn distally advances theguidewire 22 (which internally loops past the guide surfaces 980 of theguidewire lever 24 and into the needle lumen) through the lumen of theneedle 16 and past the needle distal end 16B, as seen in FIG. 73.

Upon full distal advancement of the finger pad 1218 and guidewire lever24 as seen in FIG. 73, wherein the finger pad advances to a distaltermination point, the free end of the spring arm 1260 is disposed justabove a pocket 1266 defined between the guide posts 1264 of the needlehub 1214, as seen in FIG. 72B. Because of the location of the safetyhousing 54 proximal and adjacent to the needle hub 1214 at this stage(the catheter 42—and also the attached safety housing—in its initialseated position due to it having not yet been distally advanced viadistal advancement of the catheter advancement assembly 40 as describedfurther below), the free end of the spring arm 1260 cannot yet seat inthe pocket 1266. Once the catheter 42 is advanced an incrementaldistance distally from a point referred to herein as a proximalcommencement point, however, the attached safety housing 54 no longerimpedes downward movement of the spring arm 1260 and the free endthereof seats into the pocket 1266 of the needle hub 1214. Furtherdistal movement of the guidewire advancement assembly 20 is prevented byimpingement of the finger pad 1218 on the distal end of the slot 1236,while proximal movement thereof is prevented by the seating of thespring arm in the pocket 1266 of the needle hub.

Note that, in one embodiment, the finger pad 1218 can include on itsunderside proximate its distal end a protrusion, or extended surface1308 (FIG. 79) that engages with the slot cavity 1236A (FIG. 68) definedas part of the slot 1236 on the top housing portion 12A when the fingerpad is completely distally advanced. This can assist in keeping thefinger pad 1218 seated in its distal position and provide a tactile cuethat the finger pad has been fully distally advanced. In anotherembodiment, the engagement of the finger pad extended surface 1308 withthe slot cavity 1236A can be employed to prevent further distal and/orproximal movement of the guidewire 22 by preventing movement of theguidewire lever 24.

Note that, should the catheter advancement assembly 40 be movedproximally back to its initial position (as seen in FIG. 71), the safetyhousing 54 will once again abut against the needle hub 1214 and push thefree end of the spring arm 1260 up and out of the pocket 1266. This inturn enables the guidewire advancement assembly 20 to unlock and againbe able to move proximally and distally, causing corresponding proximaland distal advancement of the guidewire 22 itself. Thus, locking ofguidewire advancement is reversible, in the present embodiment.

In another embodiment it is appreciated that a push button can beincluded with the guidewire advancement assembly 20 to enable theguidewire to be extended or retracted anew after locking of theguidewire has initially occurred, such as via depressing of the buttonto disengage the spring arm 1260 from the pocket 1266 of the needle hub,for instance. These and other variations are therefore contemplated.

FIGS. 74-75C show that, in accordance with the present embodiment, theinsertion tool 10 as presently described further includes locking ofcatheter movement prior to the distal advancement of the guidewire 22 asdescribed above. In detail, FIGS. 74 and 75A show the guidewireadvancement assembly 20 and the tail portion 1224 of the handle assembly1220 of the catheter advancement assembly 40 in their initial positionswithin the insertion tool housing 12, that is, prior to distal guidewireadvancement and catheter distal advancement. In this position, twospring arms 1272 of the tail portion 1224 are positioned such that bothguide posts 1264 of the needle hub 1214 are seated within respectivenotches 1274 of the spring arms, best seen in FIG. 75A. In thisposition, the tail portion 1224 is prevented from movement. Given theattachment of the tail portion 1224 to the hub 46 of the catheter 42,this also prevents distal advancement of the catheter or any otherportion of the catheter advancement assembly 40.

As seen in FIGS. 75A and 75B, distal advancement of the guidewire lever24 causes its actuation block 1258 to engage slanted surfaces 1276 ofeach spring arm 1272. As best seen in FIG. 75B, continued distalmovement of the guidewire lever 24 causes the actuation block 1258 tospread open the spring arms 1272, which disengages the guide posts 1264from spring arm notches 1274. The actuation block 1258 impacts the guideposts 1264, as seen in FIG. 75B, at the point of full distal advancementof the guidewire 22 and the positioning of the free end of the springarm 1260 of the guidewire lever 24 just above the pocket 1266 of theneedle hub 1214, as was described above in connection with FIGS. 71-73.At this point, the spring arms 1272 of the tail portion 1224 aredisengaged from the guide posts 1264 of the needle hub 1214, and distalcatheter advancement is thus enabled such as by user movement of thehandle assembly 1220, as shown by the distal movement of the spring armsin FIG. 75C. Also, and as was described above in connection with FIGS.71-73, this distal catheter advancement correspondingly distally movesthe safety housing 54, which is attached to the catheter 42. Movement ofthe safety housing causes the free end of the spring arm 1260 of thedistally advanced guidewire lever 24 fall into the pocket 1266 of theneedle hub 1214, locking further movement of the guidewire 22 barringreturn of the safety housing to its initial position adjacent the needlehub.

Thus, it is seen that the configuration of the insertion tool 10 of thepresent embodiment prevents distal movement of the catheter 42 untilfull distal extension of the guidewire 22 has occurred. Furthersubsequent movement of the guidewire 22 is prevented while the catheter42 has been distally advanced at least incrementally from its originalproximal position. In another embodiment, an incremental amount ofguidewire distal advancement could enable catheter advancement.

In yet another embodiment, locking of guidewire movement is madepermanent after full distal advancement. This could be achieved, in oneembodiment, by configuring the spring arm 1260 of the guidewire lever 24and the pocket 1266 of the needle hub 1214 to not interact with thesafety housing 54; as such, once the free end of the spring arm 1260seats within the needle hub pocket 1266, it remains seated permanently.In another embodiment, locking of catheter movement is made after fulldistal catheter advancement. In still another embodiment, guidewireand/or catheter advancement can be achieved via a ratcheting mechanism.

In another embodiment, the ability to advance the catheter is unrelatedto guidewire advancement. In yet another embodiment, the spring arm 1260of the guidewire lever 24 can be removed such that no locking of theguidewire advancement assembly 20 occurs. In turn, this enables lockingof catheter advancement until full distal guidewire advancement hasoccurred. These and other variations are therefore contemplated.

FIG. 76 depicts various details regarding the distal advancement of thecatheter 42 from the insertion tool 10. Once the guidewire advancementassembly 20 has distally advanced the guidewire 22 such that it extendspast the distal end 16B of the needle 16, the catheter advancementassembly 40 is free (as described above in connection with FIGS. 74-75C)to be employed in distally advancing the catheter 42 out the distal endof the insertion tool housing 12. The catheter 42 is advanced by a userengaging the finger pad portion 1290 of the head portion 1222 of thehandle assembly 1220 and moving it distally. Note that ridges 1282(FIGS. 69A, 69B) are included to assist the user in gripping the fingerpad portion 1290. The finger pad portion 1290 slides distally in the gap1250 defined between the top and bottom housing portions. As part of thehead portion 1222, which in turn is attached to the hub 46 of thecatheter 42, distal sliding of the finger pad portion 1290 distallyadvances the catheter.

As the catheter 42 is distally advanced, the distal movement of thefinger pad portion 1290 causes the finger pad portion to impinge on andpush upwards the top housing portion 12A as a portion of the headportion 1222 slides through the gap 1250. This in turn lifts the distalportion of the top housing portion 12A, including the slot 1240 and thefork 1241 of the stability structure 70. Lifting of the slot 1240 andfork 1241 causes the arms 1248 of the bottom housing portion 12B todisengage from the slot, thus enabling them to spread apart. Two posts1286 disposed on the head portion 1222 of the handle assembly 1220 (seealso FIG. 77) push against each of the arms 1248 as the catheterdistally advances, which causes the arms to separate. This separation ofthe arms 1248, together with the lifting by the finger pad portion 1290of the top housing portion, enables the catheter 42 to pass through thedistal end of the housing 12.

FIG. 76 shows removal of the catheter 42 and catheter advancementassembly 40 from the insertion tool housing 12, wherein continued distaladvancement of the head portion 1222 of the handle assembly 1220 via theuser engaging and advancing the finger pad portion 1290 causes thecatheter 42, the handle assembly 1220 (including the head portion 1222and the tail portion 1224), and the safety housing 54 removably attachedto the catheter hub 46 to slide distally along the needle 16 and out ofthe housing 12. This action is performed, for instance, to advance thecatheter tube 44 into the vessel of the patient after the needle 16 andthe guidewire 22 have cooperated to transcutaneously provide a pathwayinto the vessel.

Further separation of the catheter 42 and handle assembly 1220 from thehousing 12 causes the safety housing 54 to arrive at the distal end 16Bof the needle 16, at which point the needle safety component disposed inthe safety housing engages the needle distal tip to shield the distaltip and prevent accidental needle sticks for the user, wherein thesafety housing laterally detaches from the catheter hub 46 and remainswith the needle.

FIG. 77 shows various features of the handle assembly 1220, whichincludes the head portion 1222 and the tail portion 1224. After theabove separation of the safety housing 54 and needle 16 from thecatheter 42 and handle assembly 1220, the head portion 1222 and the tailportion 1224 remain attached to the needle hub 46 and its correspondingstrain relief 47 via clip arms 1300 and 1304, respectively.

At this point, the head portion 1222 can be removed from the catheterhub 46/strain relief 47 by the hand of the user to overcome the frictionfit of the clip arms 1300. The tail portion 1224, which includes a loop1306 disposed about the valve 52, can also be removed via pulling andtwisting by the user to overcome the friction fit of the clip arms 1304and avoid the threads of the catheter hub 46. This action will removethe valve 52 (see FIG. 68), which is attached to the tail portion 1224.In another embodiment, the tail portion loop 1306 is configured so thatthe valve 52 is exposed after removal of the tail portion 1224 so as toenable removal of the valve by the user when desired. Once the headportion 1222 and the tail portion 1224 of the handle assembly 1220 havebeen removed from the catheter 42, the catheter can be dressed and usedas desired. The handle assembly 1220 can be configured in other ways, inaddition to what has been shown and described above.

FIGS. 78A and 78B depict various details regarding the handle assembly1220, including the head portion 1222 and the tail portion 1224, as partof the catheter advancement assembly 40. As shown, the head portion 1222includes the finger pad portion 1290 that is configured to enable auser's thumb and/or finger(s) to advance the catheter 42 distally out ofthe insertion tool 10, as shown in FIG. 76. The ridges 1292 are includedon the finger pad portion 1290 to assist user gripping thereof. Therounded, raised surface 1292 is included on a top surface of the fingerpad portion 1290 and provides a surface against which the user can applyforce to distally push the head portion 1222.

The head portion 1222 defines a cavity 1294 inside of which a portion ofthe distal portion of the top housing portion 12A of the insertion toolhousing 12 is disposed, such that the head portion can slide over thedistal portion of the top housing portion 12A, as seen in FIG. 76, forexample. Such an engagement enables the head portion to be distally slidover the distal portion of the top housing portion 12A, via userengagement with the finger pad portion 1290, so as to distally advancethe catheter 42 out the distal end of the insertion tool housing 12. Asa result of such advancement (which separates the catheter 42 from thehousing 12), it is seen that the cavity 1294 of the head portion 1222separates from the top housing portion 12A.

Note that FIGS. 67E, 70, and 78B show that the finger pad portion 1290of the handle assembly 1220 further includes a cove 1295 into which thefinger pad 1218 of the guidewire lever 24 seats when the finger pad 1218is slid distally by the user to distally advance the guidewire 22. Thus,it is seen that the finger pad 1218 of the guidewire advancementassembly 20 and the finger pad portion 1290 of the head portion 1222 ofthe catheter advancement assembly 40 cooperate to provide for one-handedadvancement of the guidewire 22 and the catheter 42.

In particular, the finger pad 1218 slides distally atop the housing 12to advance the guidewire 22 until the finger pad 1218 seats in the cove1295 of the finger pad portion 1290 of the head portion 1222. The usercan then transition the thumb and/or finger(s) from the finger pad 1218to the finger pad portion 1290 of the head portion 1222 adjacent to thecurved raised surface 1292 thereof without substantial repositioning ofthe thumb and/or finger(s), at which point continued distal pressure canbe applied to distally slide the finger pad portion 1290 andcorrespondingly distally advance the catheter 42 out the distal end ofthe insertion tool housing 12, as desired. Thus, the distal terminationpoint of the sliding finger pad 1218 of the guidewire advancementassembly 20 closely corresponds in position with the proximalcommencement point of the finger pad portion 1290 of the catheteradvancement assembly 40. It is appreciated that the finger pad 1218,finger pad portion 1290, ridges 1282, raised surface 1292, etc. can beconfigured in other ways as well.

FIGS. 80 and 81 depict details of the catheter insertion tool 10according to one embodiment, wherein the finger pad 1218 of theguidewire advancement assembly 20 is elongated in shape and includes apair of ridges to assist with engagement therewith by a thumb and/orfinger(s) of the user. Further, the handle assembly 1220 of the catheteradvancement assembly 40 includes the head portion 1222 and the tailportion formed as an integral component, as shown. The head portion 1220includes two wings 1280 similar to those described above in connectionwith FIGS. 48A-49 for enabling distal advancement of the catheter 42 outof the housing 12. The head portion 1220 further includes a coverportion 1310 that arches over the top housing portion 12A, extendingbetween and connecting with each of the wings 1280, as shown in FIG. 80.So disposed, the cover portion 1310 is disposed over a portion of thefinger pad 1218. A ridge, or contour 1310, is included on a top surfaceof the cover portion 1310 to assist the user in engaging the coverportion with a thumb and/or finger(s). It is thus seen that the catheteradvancement assembly 40 can be used to distally advance the catheter 42via sliding movement by the user manually engaging either or both of thewings 1280 and/or the cover portion 1310.

FIG. 81 shows that the head portion 1220 and the tail portion 1224 ofthe handle assembly 1220 are integrally formed in the presentembodiment. FIGS. 82A and 82B show that, once it has been removed fromthe catheter insertion tool 10 as in previous embodiments, the handleassembly 1220 can be removed from the catheter 42 (as would occur afterthe catheter tube 44 thereof has been inserted into the vessel of apatient) by first bending the head portion of the handle assembly upwardand proximally, as in FIG. 82B, so as to disengage the clip arms 1300and 1304 from the strain relief 47 and the catheter hub 46,respectively. The handle assembly 1220 can then be pulled proximallywith respect to the catheter 42 to release engagement therebetween.

FIGS. 83-85 depict various details regarding a continuous blood flashindicator 1330 for enabling the user to ensure that blood or other fluidis present in the lumen of the needle 16 of the catheter insertion tool10, thus ensuring that the needle distal tip 16B is disposed in the veinor vessel of the patient during use of the insertion tool to place thecatheter 42. In FIG. 83, the flash indicator 1330 includes an elongatechannel 1332 that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the needle16 of the insertion device 10. The channel 1332 is shaped as to define apathway 1334, such as a tortuous pathway for instance, along which bloodpresent in the lumen of the needle 16 can travel after exiting theneedle and entering the channel.

In greater detail, FIG. 83 shows that the channel 1332 establishes fluidcommunication with the lumen of the needle 16 via a conduit, or accesspoint 1336A, defined through the loop 1306 of the tail portion 1224 ofthe handle assembly 1220, wherein the conduit fluidly connects with theneedle 16 via a notch defined in the needle, or by other suitable mode.In one embodiment, the access point 1336A is defined through the valveplug 52 (FIG. 68), the valve plug defining a hole that fluidly connectsthe valve plug with the catheter hub lumen. In another embodiment, theaccess point 1336A is defined at a point proximal to the safety housing54 but distal to the needle hub 1214. These and other possible locationsare contemplated.

The channel 1332 extends distally from the conduit, the channel beingdefined by a portion of the handle assembly 1220, as shown in FIG. 83.The channel 1332 here is covered by the portion of the top housingportion 12A. The thermoplastic or other material of the top housingportion 12A that covers the channel 1332 is translucent in the presentembodiment so as to enable the user to see blood present in the channel.In another embodiment, the housing itself can define at least a portionof the channel 1332.

FIGS. 83 and 84 show that, in one embodiment of the blood flashindicator 1330, the channel 1332 defined by the handle assembly 1220fluidly connects to the finger pad portion 1290 of the head portion 1222of the catheter advancement assembly 40 via an access point 1336B suchthat the pathway 1334 is also defined on the finger pad portion. Again,the portion of the finger pad portion 1290 defining the channel 1332 istranslucent in the present embodiment so as to enable the user to viewthe blood flowing therein.

In one embodiment of the blood flash indicator 1330, the pathway 1334formed by the channel 1332 can be defined at multiple locations. FIG. 85depicts an example of this, wherein a portion of the pathway 1334 isincluded on the top housing portion 12A in a location proximal to thefinger pad portion 1290 (with fluid access thereto being provided via anaccess point 1336C), and another portion of the pathway 1334 is includedon the top housing portion in a location distal to the finger padportion (with fluid access thereto being provided via an access point1336D). The access points 1336C and 1336D are in fluid communicationwith another portion of the channel 1332 that extends to fluidly connectwith a portion of the needle 16 (via an access point such as the accesspoint 1336A as is seen in FIG. 83) or other fluid-carrying portion ofthe insertion device 10.

The pathways 1334 shown in FIGS. 84 and 85 form elongated, tortuouslyshaped pathways along which blood present in the lumen of the needle 16can travel after exiting the needle. The pathway 1334 shown in FIG. 84defines a circuitous pattern that travels along the form of the fingerpad portion 1290, while the pathway of FIG. 85 defines a back-and-forthpattern along the top surface of the top housing portion 12A. It isappreciated, though, that a variety of different pathway designs andlocations on/in the insertion device 10 can be employed. In the presentembodiment, the pathways 1334 defined on the top housing portion 12A areformed by clear tubing that is attached (via pressing, for instance) tothe top housing portion in the patterns shown. In one embodiment, upondistal extension of the handle assembly 1220 of the catheter advancementassembly 40, the clear tubing separates from the top housing portion asthe handle assembly 1220 is extended and detaches from the housing 12.In another embodiment, the channel 1332 is integrally formed with thehousing 12.

A user can observe the blood within the pathway 1334 defined by thechannel 1332 to confirm that the distal tip of the needle 16 is disposedin the vein or other desired blood-carrying vessel of the patient. Asthe pathway 1334 is relatively lengthy, the progress of the blood as itproceeds in the channel 1332 enables the flash indicator 1330 tofunction as a continuous flash indicator wherein blood is present in andprogressing along the route defined by the pathway 1334 as long as theneedle distal tip 16B is disposed in the blood-carrying vessel (or otherfluid-carrying vessel in other embodiments). It is appreciated that thechannel and pathway can be formed with one of a variety of processes,including molding, machining, etc. Note that the channel 1332 can beincluded on other structures in addition to what is shown and describedherein, including the hub 46 or other portion of the catheter 42, avalve assembly, other portions of the housing 12, etc.

Various pathway designs are contemplated, a trunk-and-branch pattern, aback-and-forth pattern, a periodic tooth-like pattern about acircumference of a component, a zig-zag pattern, a convergingback-and-forth pattern, circular, helix patterns, etc.

Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insertion device for inserting a catheter intoa body of a patient, comprising: a housing; a needle having a distal endextending from a distal end of the housing; a guidewire advancementassembly including a slide member coupled to a guidewire, the guidewirehaving a distal end in the needle in a slide member first position, theguidewire moving distal of the distal end of the needle in a slidemember second position, the slide member second position being distal ofthe slide member first position; and a catheter advancement assembly,comprising: a handle assembly including a cover portion integrallyconnecting a first wing to a second wing, the cover portion extendingover an outer surface of the housing, the cover portion designed to moveover the slide member as the handle assembly is advanced from a handleassembly first position to a handle assembly second position; and thecatheter coaxially disposed over the needle, the catheter having aproximal end in the housing and a distal end extending from the distalend of the housing in the handle assembly first position.
 2. Theinsertion device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first wing and thesecond wing are manually graspable to distally advance the catheter fromthe housing, each of the first wing and the second wing includingengagement ridges.
 3. The insertion device as defined in claim 1,wherein a proximal end of the guidewire is secured to the housing, andwherein an intermediate portion of the guidewire includes a U-shapedbend.
 4. The insertion device as defined in claim 1, wherein the coverportion of the handle assembly covers a portion of the slide member ofthe guidewire advancement assembly when the slide member is in the slidemember first position.
 5. The insertion device as defined in claim 1,wherein the cover portion includes a contoured surface.
 6. The insertiondevice as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the guidewireadvancement assembly and the handle assembly is configured to preventadvancement of the catheter until distal advancement of the guidewire iscomplete.
 7. The insertion device as defined in claim 1, wherein thehandle assembly includes a head portion and a tail portion removablyattached to the catheter, the tail portion designed to engage theguidewire advancement assembly.
 8. The insertion device as defined inclaim 7, wherein the head portion and the tail portion of the handleassembly are integrally formed with one another.
 9. The insertion deviceas defined in claim 8, wherein the catheter includes a catheter hub, thehandle assembly removably attached to the catheter hub, wherein a valveis removably included in the catheter hub, wherein a safety housing isremovably disposed in the valve, the safety housing configured to beremoved in a lateral direction, and wherein the handle assembly and thecatheter hub are configured to separate from one another in a verticaldirection.
 10. The insertion device as defined in claim 8, wherein thecatheter includes a catheter hub, the handle assembly removably attachedto the catheter hub, the handle assembly including a living hingeconfigured to enable the handle assembly to be selectively removed fromthe catheter hub.
 11. The insertion device as defined in claim 10,wherein the handle assembly includes a valve that is removably disposedin the catheter hub.
 12. The insertion device as defined in claim 1,wherein the guidewire advancement assembly includes a spring armdesigned to engage with a pocket in the housing to prevent proximalretraction of the guidewire after full distal advancement of theguidewire.
 13. The insertion device as defined in claim 12, wherein thespring arm is disposed on a guidewire lever attached to the slidemember, and wherein the pocket is included in a needle hub in thehousing, a proximal end of the needle mounted to the needle hub.
 14. Theinsertion device as defined in claim 13, wherein the catheteradvancement assembly includes a safety housing, a needle safetycomponent disposed within the safety housing, the safety housingdisposed adjacent the needle hub in the handle assembly first position,and wherein distal movement of the safety housing enables a free end ofthe spring arm to seat in the pocket of the needle hub after full distaladvancement of the guidewire.
 15. The insertion device as defined inclaim 14, wherein the catheter advancement assembly is configured suchthat proximal movement of the safety housing to a position adjacent theneedle hub pushes the free end of the spring arm out of the pocket ofthe needle hub to enable guidewire advancement and retraction.
 16. Theinsertion device as defined in claim 13, wherein the guidewire leverincludes an actuation block designed to engage a portion of the catheteradvancement assembly after full distal advancement of the guidewire, andwherein engagement of the actuation block with the portion of thecatheter advancement assembly enables the catheter to be distallyadvanced.